His Excellency, Ambassador Emmanuel Victor Smith, has welcomed a six-member delegation from Ghana’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ways and Means to the Embassy of Ghana in Washington D.C., as part of the Committee’s working visit to the United States.
The delegation, led by Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, is in the U.S. to engage with relevant institutions and learn from international best practices related to fiscal policy and parliamentary oversight.
Other members of the delegation include Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, MP for Asokwa and Vice Chair of the Committee; Hon. Dominic Napare, MP for Sene East; Hon. Frederick Addy, MP for Suaman; Hon. Felicia Agyei, MP for Kintampo South; and Madam Evelyn Boateng, Assistant Deputy Clerk and Clerk to the Committee.
Welcoming the team, Ambassador Smith expressed his delight at hosting the first parliamentary group to visit the Mission since he assumed office. He commended the Committee for its dedication to strengthening Ghana’s parliamentary work and urged members to continue supporting efforts to address operational challenges facing the Embassy.
During the visit, Mr. Bernard Quantson, Head of the Consular Section, briefed the delegation on the operations of the Consular and Visa Services. He disclosed that the Embassy had successfully cleared all pending applications by the end of June and currently processes an average of 500 new applications daily.
He noted that the improved efficiency and professionalism of Embassy staff had restored public confidence in the Embassy’s service delivery.
The delegation was later taken on a tour of the Consular Section to observe the visa printing process and passport acquisition procedures. Members of the Committee expressed satisfaction with the progress made and commended the staff for their dedication and commitment to excellence.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
