Parliament has approved a budget of GH₵ 1,486,199,777 for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement its programmes and activities for the 2025 financial year.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament in Accra, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa highlighted the urgent need for Ghana to transition from renting properties abroad to owning them, as the country currently spends $15 million annually on rented diplomatic properties.
Speaking also on debt payment, he said a portion of the approved budget would go toward settling GH₵ 340 million in inherited debts from the previous administration. At the same time, plans are underway to recruit 100 additional staff to support the 24-hour passport processing system to ensure passport delivery within seven days via courier services.
However, Ablakwa said the Ministry has given Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) a three-month deadline to conduct a structural integrity assessment of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to determine its suitability for continued use.
Meanwhile, Ablakwa expressed disappointment over the 30% budget cut imposed on the Ministry. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the Ministry’s funding needs to ensure it has adequate resources to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and effectively execute its mandate.
Nonetheless, the Minister also announced plans to establish a Ghanaian diplomatic mission in Budapest, Hungary, to cater to the needs of Ghanaians living in the country.
