Nurture well-rounded Ghanaian diplomats – Akufo-Addo charges FSI

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has charged officials of the newly established Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFA&RI), to nurture well-rounded diplomats who can go out there and protect the interests of the country in the global diplomatic space.

Addressing attendees of the official commissioning ceremony of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) building at the forecourt of the institute today, Thursday, 3 August 2023, President Akufo-Addo said international diplomacy is becoming increasingly complex and that the FSI has come at an opportune time to support Ghana’s quest to growth diplomats who can navigate the sophisticated diplomatic space.

“The establishment of the Foreign Service Institute reflects our recognition of the crucial role diplomacy plays in maintaining regional, continental, and global stability and in promoting peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

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“Our world today is at the brink of a new global order, which hopefully is being shaped by democrats and cooperative culture underlined by friendly partnership with the potential to contribute to human development” President Akufo-Addo said.

“Diplomats are at the forefront of shaping this new world order, and it is my expectation that at this institution, some great talents will be nurtured and positioned to help Ghana stay deeply connected to this emerging new world order” Akufo-Addo further remarked.

Pivotal role of FSI

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regionalĥĥ Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in her remarks, noted that she is proud to witness the completion of the FSI building during her time as Minister for Friegn Affairs and Regional Integration.

She indicated that with the establishment of the institute, the government has reinforced her commitment to equipping diplomats with the necessary knowledge, skills, and training to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development.

“I reckon that through this Institute, great men and women shall be nurtured for Ghana and the international community.

“This institute will serve as a platform for nurturing young talents, fostering innovation, and cultivating the next generation of leaders and change-makers,” Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said.

“Together with the relevant public and private national and international institutions, the Foreign Ministry will seek to unlock the energy and creativity potential of our youth,” Miss Botchwey added.

The Foreign Service Institute

Following a rationalization exercise by the government, some ministries were reorganized in 2006, the Ministry of Regional Cooperation, and NEPAD was merged with the then Ministry of Foreign Affairs, resulting in the change of name to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFA&RI).

Properties inherited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from the defunct Ministry of Regional Cooperation and NEPAD included an uncompleted office building located on 1.34 acre plot at No 22 Gulf Street, South Legon

The MFA&RI on the directive of the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and now President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, decided to convert the facility into a Foreign Service Institute.

This decision necessitated the demolition of the old structure, which was deemed inadequate in size and design for a Foreign Service Institute.

The Ministry, on 27 July 2015, signed a contract worth Four Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-Two United States Dollars (US$4.789,682.00) with Seftech India PVT Limited to undertake the construction of the Foreign Service Institute.

The Government of India offered a loan facility acting through the Exim Bank of India of Five Million US Dollars (US$S.0 Million) for the construction of the Institute.

On 16 August 2017, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, together with the Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Mobashar Jawed Akbar officially laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Foreign Service Institute.

Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra

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