President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new slate of ambassadors as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Ghana’s diplomatic representation and foreign policy engagement.
Among the appointees are veteran journalist Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah and former Deputy Finance Minister Mona Quartey, both of whom bring significant experience and public service credentials to their new roles.
The announcement was made at the Presidency following consultations with the Council of State.
The appointments, which are subject to parliamentary approval, mark a strategic shift in Ghana’s diplomatic corps as the country seeks to deepen international partnerships and enhance its global standing.
A formal communication issued by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, outlined the names of the nominees and their respective diplomatic assignments.
Here are the new Ambassadors appointed:
- Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah – Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Namibia
2. Kojo Choi – Ambassador-designate to the Republic of South Korea
3. Dr. Kwame Ampofo – Ambassador-designate to Hungary
4. Mona Helen Kabuki Quartey – Ambassador-designate to the Italian Republic
5. Magnus Kofi Amoatey – Ambassador-designate to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
6. Kenneth Akibate – Ambassador-designate to Burkina Faso
7. Said Saleh Sinare – Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
8. Paul Evans Aidoo – High Commissioner-designate to the Republic of Kenya
Additionally, the President has directed a change in Ghana’s diplomatic representation to the Vatican City State. Mr. Benedict Batabe Assorow will now replace Mrs. Satirich Dorcas Ocran as the Ambassador-designate to the Vatican.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with initiating the necessary processes to formalise the appointments and prepare the nominees for their respective missions.
Profile of the nominees
Harruna Attah to Represent Ghana in the Republic of Namibia
Harruna Attah, a respected journalist and former editor of the Accra Daily Mail, has been named Ghana’s Ambassador to South Africa. Attah previously served as High Commissioner to Namibia during the Mahama administration and is widely regarded for his communication skills and diplomatic insight.
His appointment comes at a time when Ghana and South Africa are looking to expand cooperation in trade, education, and regional security.
Mona Quartey Heads to the Italian Republic
Mona Quartey, an economist and former Deputy Minister of Finance, will be Ghana’s new Ambassador to Canada. Quartey played a key role in shaping Ghana’s fiscal policy during the Mahama administration, particularly in the areas of debt management and social protection funding.
Her appointment is expected to boost Ghana-Canada relations, particularly in areas of development finance, mining, and education exchange programs.
Kojo Choi – Ambassador-designate to the Republic of South Korea
Kojo Choi is a seasoned entrepreneur who has spent the past two decades developing businesses in Ghana and across the West Coast of Africa.
He has served in consulting roles for the Korean Embassy and multinational companies due to his in-depth knowledge of business in Africa.
His scope of business experience ranges from telecommunications, financial technologies, marketing communications, and consultancy. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PaySwitch Limited.
Magnus Kofi Amoatey – Ambassador-designate to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Magnus Kofi Amoatey did not contest for re-election in 2020 after serving his constituency for 8 years as an MP in the Yilo Krobo Constituency in the Eastern Region.
He was the chairman of the constitutional review committee in Parliament during the NDC administration.
Said Saleh Sinare – Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
He is a Ghanaian diplomat and politician who is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He is currently a National Vice Chairman of the party. He is a former member of parliament for Ayawaso Central Constituency. He is also a former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Sinare is an investigator and the founder of Zongo for NDC, a group to help advocate for Muslims and periods within the Zongos in Ghana.
In 1992, Sinare entered into politics when he was elected a member of parliament of the 1st parliament of the 4th Republic after President Jerry John Rawlings had enacted a new constitution, moving Ghana into a multi-party state.
He served as a member of parliament for the Ayawaso Central Constituency for one term and lost the seat to Sheikh Ibrahim Codjoe Quaye when he was bidding for a second term in the 1996 elections.
Paul Evans Aidoo – High Commissioner-designate to the Republic of Kenya
Aidoo is a member of the National Democratic Congress and won the Sefwi-Wiawso seat in the parliamentary election in 2004.
He retained his seat in the 2008 election. In 2009, he was appointed Western Regional Minister by the late President of Ghana, John Atta Mills, and in March 2013, he was appointed Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, then re-appointed as Western Regional Minister in March 2014 by President John Dramani Mahama.
