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“The peaceful, fair, and orderly conduct of the 7 December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections has consolidated Ghana’s enviable and globally recognized democratic credentials,” according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“The successful conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, 7 December 2024 stands as a testament to the resilience of [Ghana’s] democracy,” said President Akufo-Addo, adding that Ghana’s “unalloyed commitment to democracy has become a cornerstone of [the country’s] national identity.”
When he spoke to guests during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign and Regional Integration on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, to formally commission the foreign ministry’s office complex annex which was built to solve the ministry’s office space issues Akufo-Addo expressed these views.
“The peaceful nature of the electoral process and the gracious concession of Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP presidential candidate, are powerful reminders that democracy remains the foundation of our progress and national unity. This moment should serve as a symbol of hope for the rest of the African continent, affirming that the will of the people must always prevail,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.
President Akufo-Addo noted in his statement that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instrumental in advancing [his administration’s] diplomatic successes during [his] tenure as President.”
The President claims that these accomplishments include winning Ghana’s two-year term on the UN Security Council and championing the successful bids to host the Secretariats of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Climate Vulnerable Forum here in Accra.
He went on to say that a key factor in the diplomatic achievements of that time was his leadership during his two (2) consecutive periods as Chair of ECOWAS, which were marked by extraordinary challenges such as the COVID-19 epidemic, whose impacts were made worse by the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war.
The President, in his address, noted that he “takes immense pride in the achievements of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, “who has made history as the first Ghanaian and the first African woman to serve as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.”
“Her journey from serving as my deputy during the Kufuor administration, as one of the longest-serving substantive Ministers during my own administration, and becoming one of the most distinguished diplomats of our time is an inspiration to all. It affirms that Ghana’s daughters can reach the highest heights with hard work and determination,” Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo praised the new six-storey annex building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, saying it “represents a bold statement of [Ghana’s] devotion to fostering diplomacy and enhancing the capacity of our Foreign Service.”
“It will provide the Ministry with the facilities it needs to continue shaping and implementing Ghana’s foreign policy effectively. As I cut the ribbon officially to commission this building, let us rededicate ourselves to the service of our nation. Let this new facility inspire greater productivity, innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose,” Akufo-Addo said.
“I am confident that this annex will enhance the Ministry’s capacity to deliver on its mandate and, by extension, contribute to the realization of our collective vision for a prosperous and self-reliant Ghana. May this new chapter in the Ministry’s history inspire even greater achievements in the years ahead,” the President further stated.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
