TICAD-9: Performance targets for diplomats to attract investment – Ablakwa

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking reform that will see all ambassadors and diplomats operate under measurable performance targets for the first time in the nation’s history.

The initiative, described as a bold step toward strengthening economic diplomacy, is set to be formally launched on September 1 by President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), Mr. Ablakwa explained that the newly designed framework will embed key performance indicators (KPIs) into the work of Ghana’s foreign missions, making them directly accountable for results.

The Minister emphasized that the reform signals a decisive move away from diplomacy as a purely ceremonial exercise, placing economic transformation at its core.

“Our foreign service must now deliver more than protocol,” he said. “It must attract investments, open up trade opportunities, and directly improve the lives of Ghanaians. For the first time, ambassadors and diplomats will be measured on how much impact they make.”

Under the plan, envoys will be required to pursue strategic goals such as deepening international trade partnerships, mobilizing foreign investment, and projecting Ghana as a stable and investor-friendly destination. The KPIs will serve as the yardstick for assessing their contributions to national development.

According to the Minister, this change reflects President Mahama’s broader vision of using diplomacy as a driver of growth. “The President is clear that Ghana’s diplomacy must produce tangible results. It should create opportunities for jobs, investment, and prosperity for our people,” Mr. Ablakwa stressed.

The announcement comes at a time when Ghana is intensifying efforts to attract international partnerships and position itself as a leading investment hub in Africa. By holding diplomats to defined targets, the government hopes to make its foreign missions more accountable, efficient, and aligned with national economic objectives.

“Diplomacy must be more than representation—it must build investor confidence and make Ghana the safe haven for global business,” the Minister concluded.