In what is being described as a bold departure from past practices, the Mahama administration has announced an open architectural design competition for Ghana’s new embassies and high commissions to be built under the government’s STRIDE initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said all new Ghana missions abroad will follow a standard design reflecting the nation’s heritage and culture.
“May I use this golden opportunity to announce that the Mahama administration has decided that these new Ghana embassies and high commissions to be constructed across the world must have a standard design which should depict our unique heritage and culture,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
“We are therefore today announcing an open competition which should lead us to select the most iconic green and creative architectural design for Ghana House, as they will be known across the world.”
The design competition opens today, September 15, 2025, and will close on Friday, November 14, 2025.
“All Ghanaian architects, whether young or old, fresh graduates or legends, you are all free to participate in this competition,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa contrasted the open process with what he described as a troubling trend in recent years.
“It is worth noting that this is obviously a refreshing departure from the recent past, when all major national projects were single-sourced to one architect,” he remarked.
“From the National Cathedral, Marine Drive, Agenda 111, Bank of Ghana Head Office, Du Bois Centre, New Parliamentary Chamber, Trade Fair Redesign, GNPC Head Office, Airport City — I can go on and on — all went to one architect. That era has ended.”
He described the new competition as part of the administration’s “national reset” agenda, aimed at inclusivity, transparency, and creativity.
“There is a new reset, and this is another confirmation that a reset is truly at hand,” the Minister declared.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
