President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new policy approving a waiver of import duties and taxes on one vehicle for foreign service officers returning from overseas postings.
He made the announcement on Tuesday, November 19, during the commissioning of 11 newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
According to President Mahama, the initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the foreign service and enhance the efficiency of Ghana’s missions abroad.
“We recognise that diplomats must be well supported to deliver on their mandates. For this reason, the cabinet has approved enhanced conditions of service for all our diplomats working abroad.
“Additionally, the cabinet has approved a waiver of import duties and taxes on one vehicle for foreign service officers returning from overseas service,” he told the envoys.
President Mahama noted, however, that the duty waiver comes with specific limits.
“But as a caveat, with an engine capacity not exceeding 2.7 liters. So if you think of a V8, I’m sorry,” he added.
He further disclosed that the Cabinet has approved rent ceilings for Ghana’s missions abroad as part of fiscal prudence measures designed to reduce waste and ensure value for money.
The President stressed that all missions must strictly comply with the protocols governing the new policy.
President Mahama commissioned the following ambassadors and high commissioners:
1. Mrs. Theresa Adjei-Mensah – Ambassador-designate, Czech Republic
2. Dr. Felix Kumah Godwin Anebo – Ambassador-designate, Republic of Senegal
3. Mrs. Mona Helen Kabuki Quartey – Ambassador-designate, Italian Republic
4. Mr. Kenneth Akibate – Ambassador-designate, Burkina Faso
5. Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo – High Commissioner-designate, Republic of Kenya
6. Prof. Justice Solomon Korantwi-Barimah – Ambassador-designate, Arab Republic of Egypt
7. Brigadier-General Alhassan Abu – Ambassador-designate, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
8. Amb. Doris Adzo Denyo Brese – High Commissioner-designate, Commonwealth of Australia
9. Ms. Elizabeth Nyantakyi – High Commissioner-designate, Republic of Zambia
10. Mr. Eddison Mensah Agbenyegah – Ambassador-designate, The Kingdom of the Netherlands
11. Mr. Edward Kwaku Cofie – Ambassador-designate, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
The newly appointed diplomats are expected to promote Ghana’s interests abroad while upholding the government’s renewed standards of accountability, efficiency, and fiscal discipline.
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