Appoint energetic ambassadors — NDC Italy chapter

The Italy Chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has added its voice to the call on the Mills Administration to expedite action on the appointment of ambassadors and high commissioners to the various countries.
It said the delay was affecting the country’s move to attract foreign investors as well as the well being of Ghanaians living abroad, especially those in Italy.
Some Chapter members led by Messrs Yawona Sulemana Ibrahim and Andy Kudjey-Cudjoe, Chairman and Propaganda Secretary of the Chapter made the call when they called at the offices of the Daily Graphic to solidarise with a similar call made by another leading member of the party, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah in the July 15, 2009 edition of the paper.
They also appealed to the government to ensure that those posted to represent the government as ambassadors and high commissioners were energetic, knowledgeable and ready to sell Ghana to the international community.
They commended President Mills for appointing more youthful people into his administration in fulfilment of his campaign promise and urged him to let this reflect in the appointment of ambassadors and high commissioners.
Dr Spio-Garbrah, had earlier in an interview told the Daily Graphic that the absence of Ghanaian political ambassadors in such high-profile posts as London and Washington would make it difficult for the Mills administration to obtain the fullest benefits out of visits paid by President Mills and a government delegation to London some two months ago, and the recent visit by Mr Obama to Ghana.
According to Mr Ibrahim, prior to and after the December 2008 elections, the Chapter held discussions and victory rally respectively at which it whipped up interest about investment opportunities in the country to some Italian investors.
He said after the two programmes, at least 24 investors expressed interest and readiness to invest in the country, immediately the government was settled and ambassadors appointed to facilitate their smooth movement to the country.
He said after the government had settled,the investors have been contacting them as to when the process would begin for them to come to Ghana to invest.
Mr Ibrahim said because the investors had waited for far too long without any ambassador, they have found their way into the country, and unfortunately some of them had been duped by some recalcitrant persons under the pretext of leading them to the Presidency.
He said others who could not muster the courage to go through the unofficial means were turning their attention to other countries where their movement would be facilitated officially.
He said aside the fact that the situation was affecting the investment drive, it was also giving the government a bad name because people might think that those who were extorting money from the investors were from government circles.