The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a new award scheme to recognize the dedication of locally recruited staff serving in Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad, with the first set of honorees celebrated during a carols service.
In a Facebook post, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that Mr. Oriel Chinthaka Ariyaratna Paiyagala Linyanage, a representational driver at Ghana’s embassy in Paris, was granted an all-expenses-paid trip to Ghana after 41 years of service.
“It has always been the dream of Mr. Oriel… to one day visit Ghana for the first time after serving our embassy in Paris for 41 long years. His dream became a reality when we surprised him with an all-expenses-paid trip to Ghana and awarded him for his dedicated service,” Ablakwa wrote.
Oriel, originally from Sri Lanka, was recruited on September 8, 1984. His late father also worked as a driver at the embassy in France but never had the opportunity to visit Ghana. As part of his award, Oriel will tour tourist attractions, receive gifts, and a cash prize.
Other honorees include:
- Mr. Evans Aryeequaye Attoh, driver at Ghana’s Rome embassy, honored for 36 years of service.
- Mrs. Caroline Nkrumah-Appiah, stenographer at the New York mission, recognized for 35 years of service.
- Mr. Philip Twum Nkansah, Accounts Assistant at the Rome embassy, awarded for 35 years of service.
According to Ablakwa, the new long-service and best-performing staff award scheme will be held annually to “motivate, deepen inclusivity and promote productivity.” He noted that home-based Foreign Service staff already benefit from a separate award system.
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