Aspiring National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edem Segbefia, has commended the foreign affairs reforms being undertaken by the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, describing them as a major step towards restoring Ghana’s international reputation, strengthening diplomatic institutions, protecting citizens abroad, and attracting investment for national development.
Dr. Segbefia made the remarks during an interactive engagement with NDC grassroots members in Northern Ghana, where he encouraged party supporters to actively communicate what he described as the government’s successes in the foreign affairs sector.
According to Dr. Segbefia, before January 2025 Ghana’s foreign affairs sector faced significant institutional challenges, including inadequate support for diplomatic missions, weak public diplomacy, limited international engagement, challenges in consular service delivery, and reduced opportunities for economic diplomacy.
He said the Mahama administration has adopted a foreign policy centred on “Ghana First, Ghana Respected, Ghana Engaged,” with the objective of restoring confidence in Ghana’s diplomatic service while ensuring that foreign policy delivers tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
“Our diplomacy must not only protect Ghana’s national interest but also improve the lives of Ghanaians at home and abroad through investment, trade, security and effective citizen services,” Dr. Segbefia said.
He stated that government has prioritised the strengthening of Ghana’s embassies and high commissions by improving operational support, upgrading ICT infrastructure, modernising consular systems and filling key diplomatic, consular and trade positions with qualified personnel.
According to him, these measures have enhanced the processing of emergency travel documents, passport renewals, visa services, attestations and welfare support for Ghanaians living abroad.
He further noted that emergency response mechanisms between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic missions have been strengthened to provide faster assistance to citizens affected by conflicts, disasters or humanitarian emergencies.
Dr. Segbefia also argued that Ghana has renewed its engagement within regional and international organisations, including the African Union (AU), ECOWAS and the United Nations, while intensifying diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace, democracy and regional integration.
He further indicated that Ghana’s diplomatic missions are increasingly focusing on economic diplomacy by promoting Made-in-Ghana products, tourism opportunities and foreign direct investment, while strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and Ghana’s missions abroad to attract investment and expand export opportunities.
According to Dr. Segbefia, the government is also deepening engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora through programmes designed to encourage investment, skills transfer and community development initiatives across the country.
He added that cooperation with neighbouring countries and ECOWAS member states has been strengthened to address terrorism, irregular migration, cross-border crime, smuggling and human trafficking through sustained diplomatic engagement.
Speaking on the relevance of these reforms to ordinary citizens, Dr. Segbefia said stronger diplomatic representation translates into better protection for Ghanaians living overseas, increased investment opportunities, expanded markets for local producers, enhanced employment prospects for young people, and stronger partnerships between diaspora communities and their hometowns.
“When our embassies are responsive, our citizens abroad feel protected. When diplomacy attracts investment, it creates jobs for our youth, opportunities for farmers and markets for local businesses. Effective foreign policy must deliver benefits that every Ghanaian can appreciate,” he stated.
Dr. Segbefia encouraged NDC grassroots members to help local cooperatives, artisans, farmers, shea processors and small businesses connect with export promotion opportunities while supporting diaspora investment initiatives that benefit their communities.
He also urged party members to educate Ghanaians travelling abroad about the importance of registering with Ghana’s diplomatic missions to facilitate assistance during emergencies.
Touching on party mobilisation, Dr. Segbefia encouraged grassroots organisers to highlight what he described as improvements in Ghana’s international standing and diplomatic engagement as part of the government’s broader development agenda.
He called on constituency executives and branch officers to document foreign investment projects, diaspora initiatives and consular achievements within their communities as examples of government delivery.
According to him, successful diplomacy should ultimately translate into improved livelihoods through increased trade, investment, employment opportunities and stronger international partnerships.
Concluding his address, Dr. Segbefia reaffirmed his confidence in the government’s foreign policy direction and called on party supporters to remain active ambassadors of the administration’s vision.
“Go into every branch, every market, every traditional palace and every community and share the story of Ghana’s renewed engagement with the world. Tell the people that the NDC is working to strengthen Ghana’s global reputation, protect our citizens abroad, attract investment, create opportunities and build a prosperous future for all,” he said.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
