The Executives and members of the NDC Holland Chapter paid a formal courtesy call on the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in The Hague on 25 February 2026, to welcome the newly appointed Ambassador of Ghana to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency Mr. Eddison Mensah Agbenyegah.
The engagement, held at the Chancery, combined diplomacy, political organization, and diaspora participation in a manner reflective of Ghana’s maturing democratic and international posture.
Ambassador Agbenyegah was appointed by President His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as part of a cohort of envoys commissioned on 19 November 2025. In accordance with established diplomatic protocol and international law, he formally commenced his tenure on 4 February 2026, after presenting his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. That ceremony, grounded in the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, marked the official recognition of his authority to represent the Republic of Ghana within the Dutch jurisdiction. Prior to this appointment, he served as Deputy High Commissioner of Ghana to Nigeria, where he distinguished himself in bilateral and regional diplomatic engagements.
The visit also served as an opportunity to officially welcome Professor Emmanuel Netsey Afedo, the Deputy Head of Mission, recently appointed by President Mahama, and Mr. William Charles Panful, Minister and Head of Chancery, who assumed office last year. Other diplomatic staff present included Mrs. Priscilla Ankomah, Minister responsible for Consular Affairs, and Mrs. Naa Lamiokor Mills Barnes, First Secretary at the Mission.
In receiving the delegation, Ambassador Agbenyegah reiterated his determination to harness the knowledge, professional expertise, and entrepreneurial capacity of the Ghanaian diaspora. He disclosed that President Mahama, in assigning him to The Hague, had outlined clear Key Performance Indicators as benchmarks for measuring diplomatic effectiveness. These indicators, he noted, go beyond ceremonial representation and encompass trade facilitation, investment promotion, diaspora engagement, and the strengthening of Ghana–Netherlands bilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador assured members of the NDC Holland Chapter that the doors of the Embassy remain open to all Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliation, and that his office stands ready to support viable business initiatives capable of contributing to Ghana’s economic transformation. While recognizing the NDC Holland Chapter as an external branch of the governing party, he underscored that his constitutional mandate obliges him to represent the entire Republic. He encouraged members to register on the Embassy’s digital portal and indicate their professional backgrounds, areas of expertise, and willingness to serve when called upon. Such structured engagement, he emphasized, would enable the Mission to mobilize diaspora talent in a strategic and coordinated manner.
In a forward-looking appeal to younger members, Ambassador Agbenyegah advised them to invest in technological competence and digital innovation. In an era defined by artificial intelligence, data governance, and cross-border digital commerce, he argued, Ghana must leverage the global exposure of its youth. He further assured the Chapter’s Executives of improved communication channels with the diplomatic staff to ensure efficiency, responsiveness, and institutional trust.
Professor Emmanuel Netsey Afedo, the Deputy Head of Mission, also addressed the gathering. Drawing from his more than fifteen years of residence in Denmark, he reflected on the evolving role of the diaspora in political mobilization, remittance flows, and policy influence. He affirmed his readiness to collaborate closely with external branches, emphasizing that they are strategic partners rather than peripheral actors. Referencing his leadership role during the Volta Dam spillage crisis of 2023, he highlighted the importance of crisis management, inter-agency coordination, and evidence-based governance.
The Executives of the NDC Holland Chapter warmly congratulated the Ambassador and his Deputy and formally welcomed them to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They described the courtesy call as both tradition and responsibility, consistent with the practice of external branches engaging newly appointed diplomats to foster unity and institutional synergy.
Significantly, the Executives acknowledged their previous engagement with Mr. William Charles Panful, Minister and Head of Chancery, during the Netherlands–Ghana Business and Tourism Expo held last year. That engagement, they noted, provided a constructive platform for dialogue on trade, tourism promotion, and diaspora entrepreneurship. They commended Mr. Panful for his accessibility and pragmatic approach during the Expo and expressed their desire to deepen that collaboration as time progresses. In their view, sustained engagement between the Chapter and the Head of Chancery would further strengthen institutional coordination, particularly in areas of economic diplomacy and diaspora-driven investment initiatives.
The Chapter assured the Ambassador and his team of their readiness to support initiatives that promote Ghana’s national interest and the welfare of Ghanaians in the diaspora. They emphasized that although they function as an external branch of the National Democratic Congress, they fully recognize and respect the non-partisan constitutional role of the Ambassador as the official representative of the Republic.
They further observed that external branches operate in a manner analogous to constituencies in Ghana, albeit without parliamentary representation. Nonetheless, they noted that diaspora Chapters contribute significantly to electoral mobilization, policy advocacy, and international networking, particularly evident during the 2024 general elections.
The Executives also advocated for greater consideration of Ghanaian graduates resident in the Netherlands when employment opportunities arise at the Mission. They argued that locally based professionals possess familiarity with Dutch legal, administrative, and regulatory systems, thereby offering immediate institutional value while strengthening diaspora inclusion.
Special appreciation was extended to Mrs. Priscilla Ankomah, Minister for Consular Affairs, whose professionalism, diligence, and empathetic service have earned widespread respect within the Ghanaian community. Her stewardship of consular services, ranging from passport processing to emergency travel documentation, has significantly enhanced the Embassy’s public image. The Chapter equally expressed its commitment to building a constructive and enduring working relationship with Mrs. Naa Lamiokor Mills Barnes, First Secretary.
The visit concluded in a vibrant and cordial atmosphere. On behalf of the NDC Holland Chapter, Chairman Fred Morgan presented a citation to Ambassador Agbenyegah. The citation read:
“It is with great respect that the NDC Holland Chapter warmly welcomes you to the Kingdom of the Netherlands on your diplomatic appointment. We receive you as Ghana’s representative and a bridge between nations, cultures, and the Ghanaian diaspora. Your appointment reflects renewed commitment to strong bilateral relations, constructive engagement, and dignified representation of Ghana.
“We the NDC Holland Chapter stands ready as your partner, your frontline, and NDC loyal constituency abroad. We offer not just congratulations, but commitment. We offer not just ceremony, but solidarity.
“We look forward to walking this journey with you, in service to our Party, our Nation, and the shared dream of a prosperous Ghana.”
The NDC Chapter Executives pledged solidarity, partnership, and unwavering commitment to Ghana’s progress. The ceremony symbolized more than political affiliation; it represented a shared dedication to democratic governance, accountable leadership, and diaspora participation in national development.
The meeting ended with a group photograph taken in front of the Embassy building in The Hague. Framed against Ghana’s diplomatic insignia, the image captured a moment of renewed partnership between state representation and organized diaspora engagement. In an increasingly interconnected global order, such interactions demonstrate that diplomacy is no longer confined to chancelleries alone; it is enriched by active citizen participation. The NDC Holland Chapter’s courtesy call therefore stands as a testament to the evolving synergy between Ghana’s diplomatic institutions and its diaspora communities in advancing a prosperous and globally engaged Republic.
