Foreign Service personnel undergo training
The Institute of Diplomatic Practice and Development Policies (I-2DP) is organising a training programme for Foreign Service Officers and Government representatives abroad.
The event, which started from Sunday, February 26 to Saturday March 3, was aimed at equipping the participants with the requisite tools and skills to prosecute the nation’s foreign policy agenda.
Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised the importance of the training at the opening ceremony, saying it was relevant for the personnel to understand the foreign policy of the country and reach out to all including Ghanaians in the Diaspora.
He said diplomats play a vital role in the quest to achieve the better Ghana agenda of Government aimed at creating a strong, robust and resilient economy.
Alhaji Mumuni described the course as timely in the quest to reach out to Ghanaians abroad with foreign remittances rising to become the third largest contributor of foreign investment into the economy.
Nana Bema Kumi, Director of the Institute said the programme, a collaborative effort with the Ministry aims to upgrade the technical skills and solid background of the participants in diplomatic practice.
She said good and coherent development policies can only be formulated and implemented when officials from various sectors of government are constantly empowered with the knowledge required in topical and international issues at all times and in all spheres.
Nana Kumi said the programme falls squarely in the niche of the Institute to constantly update the knowledge of representatives abroad to be at the same level with their counterparts from developed countries.
She said the Institute has established collaboration with the United Nations and participated in the Conference on Sustainable Development dubbed “Rio +20”.
The Director commended the United Nations Development Programme for sponsoring the programme and others to be organised in the course of the year.
Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning are taking part in the seven-day training programme.
I-2DP was inaugurated on March 25, 2011 with the mission to offer consultancy services to national and international organisations in the areas of diplomatic practice as well as offer tailor-made courses for diplomats, both local and foreign.
Source: GNA