Minister of Foreign Affairs announces consular service reforms at Ghana’s Embassies

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced new measures to address complaints about poor service at Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.

Among the changes is a policy requiring all official phone calls to embassies and consulates to be recorded and reviewed.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Mr Ablakwa acknowledged what he described as “justified grievances” from the public regarding the lack of responsiveness and discourteous behaviour at some missions.

He said that although these problems existed before he took office, he accepts full responsibility and is taking steps to correct them.

The announcement comes amid growing criticism from Ghanaians abroad, including an account by Professor Kojo Dei, who shared negative experiences at two of Ghana’s diplomatic missions.

Mr Ablakwa described the report as deeply troubling and said such conduct would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Mr Ablakwa outlined six policy changes as part of a broader overhaul under President John Mahama’s RESET Agenda.

These include a new code of conduct for mission staff, a directive to reconfigure phone systems to accommodate more simultaneous calls, and periodic reviews of recorded conversations to assess professionalism.

He said embassy officials will now be monitored through mechanisms set up with service providers to verify whether public calls are being answered.

New ambassadors and high commissioners will also be assessed based on their responsiveness and accessibility, with clear sanctions for those who fall short of expected standards.

Addressing recent concerns about visa delays at Ghana’s mission in Washington, D.C., Mr Ablakwa said the situation has improved significantly.

He reported that 2,943 visas have been issued since the embassy reopened.

According to him, the mission had been plagued by corruption, which he said has now been dealt with. He added that he had visited personally to oversee the clearance of a visa application backlog and ensure the introduction of the new policies.

Mr Ablakwa acknowledged that while many missions operate with professionalism and empathy, a number have consistently delivered poor service over the years. He said that will no longer be accepted.

He called on the public to trust the RESET Agenda, which he said is aimed at addressing corruption, eliminating conflicts of interest, protecting applicants from exploitation, and improving Ghana’s reputation abroad.

According to Mr Ablakwa, the Mahama administration is pursuing a new phase of public service built on high standards, accountability and transparency.

The reforms, he said, are intended to improve the experience of Ghanaians and foreigners who rely on consular services around the world.