President John Dramani Mahama has announced bold measures to end Ghana’s long-standing practice of spending millions of dollars annually on rented properties for its diplomatic missions abroad.
Delivering a speech at the commissioning of newly appointed High Commissioners and Ambassadors at the presidency on Thursday, September 4, 2025, the President described the expenditure as wasteful and unsustainable, insisting that urgent reforms are required to safeguard public resources.
“Let me be emphatic. Ghana cannot continue spending a staggering more than $15 million every year on renting properties abroad for our diplomatic use. This is not a judicious use of taxpayers’ resources, and the reset agenda requires an immediate reversal of this trend,” President Mahama stated.
To address the challenge, the President disclosed that Cabinet has approved a new policy initiative dubbed STRIDE, which stands for Strategic Transition from Rental to Developing our own properties. The initiative is designed to phase out costly rental agreements and replace them with state-owned facilities for Ghana’s embassies and missions abroad.
“That is why the Cabinet has promptly approved the STRIDE initiative. STRIDE refers to the strategic transition from rental to developing our own properties. I have tasked the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Finance to work urgently to resolve this long-standing challenge,” he explained.
Providing an update on progress made so far, President Mahama revealed that key steps have already been taken to operationalize the initiative.
“From my latest briefing, a transaction advisor has been appointed, standard designs are being developed, and funding mechanisms are already being negotiated. This decisive shift will ensure that our missions abroad are housed in properties that are owned by the Republic, reducing wasteful expenditure while safeguarding Ghana’s dignity on the international stage,” he added.
The President stressed that the STRIDE initiative is not only about cutting costs but also about projecting Ghana’s image globally.
According to him, owning diplomatic properties will enhance the country’s presence abroad, provide long-term financial savings, and reinforce national pride.
The list of appointees includes:
Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson – High Commissioner, London, United Kingdom
Mr. Victor Emmanuel Smith – Ambassador, Washington D.C., USA
Ms. Mavis Ama Frimpong – Ambassador, Paris, France
Mr. Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed – High Commissioner, Abuja, Nigeria
Dr. Koma-Steem Jehu Appiah – Ambassador, Moscow, Russian Federation
Mr. Kojo Bonsu – Ambassador, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Alhaji Hammed Rashid Tunde Ali – Ambassador, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Professor Ohene Adjei – Ambassador, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany
Alhaji Abdul Nasiru-Deen – Ambassador, Ankara, Turkey
Dr. Margaret Miewien Chebere – Ambassador, Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark
Mr. Labik Joseph Yaani – Ambassador, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Nii Amasah Namoale – Ambassador, Brasilia, Federative Republic of Brazil
Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso – High Commissioner, New Delhi, India
Ambassador Samuel Yao Kumah – Ambassador, New York, USA
Mr. Godwin Baletum Amonzem –Ambassador, Monrovia, Republic of Liberia
Mr. Aikins Abrokwa – Ambassador in-Situ, Director of State Protocol
Mr. Gustav Kwaku Sefe Dovlo – Ambassador in-Situ, Chief of Protocol
Mrs. Patience Kokui Gameli-Kwame – Ambassador-at-Large, Deputy Director General, Research Department.
As the newly appointed High Commissioners and Ambassadors prepare to take up their roles, the President charged them to be prudent stewards of national resources while representing Ghana abroad.
He reiterated that the success of the Reset Agenda depends on efficiency, accountability, and a collective resolve to safeguard the public purse.
The announcement forms part of the government’s wider Reset Agenda, which seeks to promote fiscal discipline, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public resources.
President Mahama emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that every cedi spent delivers value to the Ghanaian people.
