THE GHANAIAN OCTOBER 2020

NewsletterNewsletter ofof thethe MinistryMinistry ofof ForeignForeign AffairsAffairs andand RegionalRegional IntegrationIntegration

In this issue: The Question of Multilateralism Amid a Global Crisis

The New Normal of Consular Diplomacy INTERNATIONAL The Endangered Homo COOPERATION IN TIMES OF Sapiens in a Growing GLOBAL Tech World TURBULENCE

Ministry of Foreign AffairsOCTOBER & Regional Integration 2020 Newsletter Edition1 2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBEROCTOBER 2020 CONTENTS

1. Editorial International Cooperation in Times of Global Turbulence 4

2. Regional Integration a. Acceptance Speech by the President of the Republic of Ghana, 8 Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his Election as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS b. Address to Parliament on the Occasion of Africa Day 2020 by the Minister for 11 Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

3. Foreign Policy and International Relations a. The Question of Multilateralism Amid a Global Crisis 14 b. Perspectives of a Ghanaian Diplomat on a Changing World Order 17 c. Multilingualism: A Strategic Enabler in Diplomatic Relations 20 d. Enhancing Economic Diplomacy in an Era of ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ 23 e. Before You Travel 26 f. Poem - In the Eye of the Storm 27 g. Book Review: Harvesting Diplomacy in a Patriotic Spirit 28

4. COVID-19 a. COVID-19 Pandemic, Racist Attacks and Africa!!! 31 b. A Personal Reflection on COVID-19 34

5. Peace, Security and Consular Matters a. The New Normal of Consular Diplomacy 36 b. Humanitarian Intervention under the ECOWAS Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, 40 Management, Resolution, Peace-Keeping and Security: Aspects of Normative Incompatibility with the UN Charter

6. MFARI Activities a. Lecture Series: The Return of “The Democracy or Development” Debate: A Perspective 44 b. Commissioning of Envoys 50 c. Back-to-School Campaign 51 d. Donation towards the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic 55

7. Information Communication Technology The Endangered Homo Sapiens in a Growing Tech World 56

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 3 OCTOBER 2020 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN TIMES OF GLOBAL TURBULENCE

The post-1945 world order, is turned, particularly, the dominant generally acknowledged as having economies to turn inward. Export been largely characterised by controls were introduced on critical strong international cooperation medical supplies and even the between and among States. This traditional strong ties between the has manifested in the establishment United States and its European allies of institutions such as the United experienced heightened tension as Nations, the Bretton Woods each side of the Atlantic banned the institutions of the International export of essential medical supplies Monetary Fund and the World such as masks, face shields, and Bank, and, more recently, the World other protective equipment. The Trade Organisation. The plethora of pursuit of the “my country first” international instruments adopted approach posed serious threats to and implemented by the global global public health and solidarity, community has also been expanded making the toll of COVID-19 even to cover several multilateral and worse. strategic concerns, such us health, trade, the environment, arms It needs to be recognized, however, control, and peace and security. that the world is now at a very with disastrous socio-economic delicate stage of history that could effects on individuals, households Despite the enduring global stability portend global dysfunction. This is and nations. that is anchored on accepted because the impact of the ongoing arrangements of international global pandemic is dire and far- The pandemic has not only cooperation, emerging global reaching. Already, the IMF has exposed fissures which have challenges have sadly revealed indicated that as at the end of June developed in the international the fragilities of the international 2020, more than 11 trillion United system with the rise in nationalist system. States dollars had been spent by and populist politics across governments as fiscal support, Europe and America. It has also The novel coronavirus pandemic with an additional 6 trillion United brought some hard realities to has already exposed fraying States dollars in monetary support. the fore. Perhaps it is premature international cooperation with Estimates also suggests that the to talk of a shift of power and global solidarity urgently needed effects of the pandemic on global influence from the West to the in challenging times such as this. economic output will lead to a East, but the slow and sometimes At the beginning of the crisis, $12.5 trillion downturn by the end uncoordinated responses in some individual national responses in the of 2021. Aside the several lives European capitals and America face of medical supply shortages lost, many jobs have also been lost to the pandemic have already

4 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBEREDITORIAL 2020

may appear hasty but the reality is that countries are beginning to look more at their narrow interest, a situation which is not unusual during crises.

The real impact of the pandemic and other global crises could stretch for years. Millions more families are being pushed into poverty with Some analysts are already millions of jobs already lost this year. punctured the aura around the predicting an inward-looking We need international solidarity. global leadership of the West. world that is less open, less We need the United Nations, ably prosperous and less free. For supported by the G-8, G-20 and These challenges are instance, Simon Tifford and Hans resourceful individual countries, as compounded by the underlying Kundnan, writing in a July 2020 well as the multilateral development tensions between a rising and paper for the ‘Foreign Affairs’ agencies plus various regional blocs increasingly assertive China and magazine of the influential such as the EU, African Union and a United States, that appears Council on Foreign Relations have others. to have abandoned hegemony contemplated an intellectual as a strategic issue on account policy point for the United States There is therefore the need for of its repudiation of a number abandoning the hegemony of the leadership, and the international of multilateral and security United States dollar for reasons of community has always proved commitments in recent years. national economic interests. That capable of achieving desired

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 5 OCTOBER 2020 outcomes whenever it is able to international organisations to help of the world, it is still the best placed work together. The experience of manage the international system institution to forge a solution to the 2007-2008 global financial made up of independent sovereign the global disruption unleashed by crisis, which though beginning in states. Throughout its 75 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. the financial sector of the United existence, the UN has brought the States, transmuted into the real world together to prevent wars The current coronavirus pandemic economy with dire implications between States and end internal has therefore tested the resilience worldwide, especially in developing conflicts through mediation and of international cooperation to countries such as Ghana shows peacekeeping operations; it has the limit. While the pandemic that concerted action is always mobilized global resources to was a proof of an interdependent possible. address issues of poverty and world in the manner of its spread, underdevelopment through the reality was that each country As a response to the 2007-2008 instruments such the MDGs and acted in its own interests to ensure financial crisis and to avoid a global SDGs; formed coalitions to confront national survival. economic collapse, governments threats like terrorism and climate and central banks across the world change; built consensus to address The lesson here, however, provided unprecedented bailouts the impact of financial crisis; led particularly for developing and stimulus to restore faith in the a crusade against communicable countries is NOT to lose faith markets and provided funds for and non-communicable diseases in the potency of international banks to lend and allow withdrawals. through worldwide vaccination and cooperation even if they have For instance, at the United Nations immunization. to minimise overdependence Conference on the World Financial on developed countries for and Economic Crisis and Its Impact The United Nations has many times their progress. International on Development held in June 2009 led global efforts to find solutions goodwill and solidarity remain at the UN Headquarters in New to a multitude of challenges facing an indispensable instrument for York, Member States gathered to the world and, significantly, true sustainable progress even where identify emergency and long-term to the words of its own Charter, individual countries endeavour to responses to mitigate the impact has saved “succeeding generations assume primary responsibility for of the financial crisis, especially from the scourge of another their own development. on vulnerable countries and their World War” in over seven decades. populations. Despite the challenges the world Rather, to weather the storms body might be going through at of any future global turmoil and Indeed, the United Nations the moment to bring coherence of the associated economic shocks, was designed as a rules-based actions among the major countries individual countries, especially

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EDITORIAL BOARD REGIONAL INTEGRATION No.5 Agostinho Neto Rd., Accra, Ghana Mr. Damptey B. Asare - Chairman Postal Address: P.O.Box M53, Accra-Ghana Mr. Harold Agyeman - Alternate Chair Mrs. Audrey Abayena - Member Email: [email protected] Mrs. Laila Heward – Mills - Member [email protected] Ms. Reina Baah Sackey - Member Telephone number: +233 0302 738473 Ms. Rita Enyonam Dakudzie - Member Digital Address: GA-057-0036 Ms. Nana Ama Kankam - Member Ms. Maame Abena Gyamerah - Member Ms. Ama Anima Anang - Member Views and comments expressed in this Newsletter Ms. Lydia Oppong-Gyimah - Member do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry Mr. George Mills - Member of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

6 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBEROCTOBER 2020 developing countries including opportunities to achieve global The vulnerabilities suffered by all those in Africa, should design growth, combat extreme poverty countries without exception in the forward-looking policies in normal and heal the world. The search for face of the COVID-19 pandemic times in order to develop resilience vaccine to defeat the coronavirus demonstrate the imperative of in their economies and among their will require concrete commitments international cooperation and why populations. The vision of ‘Ghana and specific action, including we need a renewed multilateralism. Beyond Aid’ may hold promise to financial resources and sharing developing a resilient future. But of knowledge among states and An effective international the vision alone will not be enough. relevant international institutions. cooperation will keep global It will require demonstrable commitments to lift people from commitment, including making If the world is to work together vulnerability to opportunity available the needed resources to again and reclaim its lost and work together to reform ensure effective implementation. lustre, attention will have to be international institutions for the Additionally, it will require building paid to reforming global rules 21st century. As the former UN national consensus with noticeably and institutions to ensure Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, effective citizens’ participation effectiveness, legitimacy and once said, “this is not charity. It is and enhanced role by the people’s regain public trust. The world not a luxury. It is a development representatives in Parliament. institutions created after 1945 imperative. And it is a central must be made more accountable, ingredient to a coordinated global The call for enhanced international more effective and more recovery plan.” cooperation still remains the most representative to reflect the effective mechanism to provide current global realities.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 7 OCTOBERREGIONAL 2020INTEGRATION ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO ON HIS ELECTION AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE AUTHORITY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF ECOWAS AT THE 57TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS SUMMIT, IN NIAMEY, REPUBLIC OF NIGER ON MONDAY, 7TH SEPTEMBER 2020.

Your Excellencies, President of the Kufuor, and John Dramani Mahama people and government of Niger Commission, – who have enjoyed, in times past, are also to be commended for their a similar privilege. I am aware of warm hospitality, and for making Ghana is humbled and honoured the enormity of the task ahead, these excellent facilities available by the decision of the Authority of and I assure you that I will do my to us, over the course of the year. Heads of State and Government utmost not to let the side down, President Issoufou leaves office of the Economic Community of and discharge my duties to the to the loud applause of his peers. West African States (ECOWAS) to best of my abilities. Mahamadou, bon ami et cher frère, elect me, by unanimous vote, as merci beaucoup pour tout. Chairperson of ECOWAS for the I congratulate the outgoing next term of one year. I thank Your Chairperson, the President of the Excellencies, I am fully aware of the Excellencies for this extraordinary Republic of Niger, His Excellency challenges which confront West privilege, which puts me in the Mahamadou Issoufou, for his Africa. Past leaders of ECOWAS same shoes as my predecessors as distinguished stewardship of have demonstrated their collective Presidents of the Republic of Ghana ECOWAS during these trying will and determination to drive the – specifically, Their Excellencies times, which, by common consent, agenda of regional integration, Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum has been a successful tenure. The opening up our economic frontiers,

8 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBEROCOTBER 2020

encouraging healthy competition Firstly, the continuing activities for concerted action on our part amongst Member States, and of terrorists in our Region to defeat it, including giving ensuring that we adhere to our concentrated, for the time being, our maximum support to the formative principles. in the Sahelian area, involving ECOWAS COVID-19 Champion, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and the His Excellency Muhamadu Buhari, As much as considerable progress northern parts of Nigeria. They President of the Federal Republic has been made since the seek an opportunity to extend of Nigeria. establishment of ECOWAS, some their range southwards to the forty-five (45) years ago, we all Coastal States of the Community. Thirdly, the imminent coming into agreed that there is much more to The activities of these terrorists force of the African Continental be done to consolidate the socio- form the backdrop to the recent Free Trade Area on 1st January economic and political gains made coup in Mali. 2021, whose Secretariat is over the years. located in our Region in Ghana’s Secondly, the COVID-19 pan- capital, Accra. The economies of Excellencies, five immediate demic, which has attacked the ECOWAS should be prepared to challenges face our regional populations and economies of take full advantage of this seminal organisation. each one of our States. It calls development in the life of our

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 9 OCTOBER 2020

continent, and, indeed, provide we can. In so doing, we must i.e. the principles of democratic the leadership that will enable the protect, at all costs, our freedom accountability, respect for AfCFTA to succeed. and independence of action, so individual liberties and human that the development of our rights, and the rule of law. Fourthly, the 2020 decision Community responds to the needs Such commonality will facilitate on monetary union within our and aspirations of our peoples, immeasurably the process of ECOWAS space. We are required to and not to the goals of external bonding amongst the peoples of take a momentous decision on this agencies and forces. I am confident our Community. matter, especially in the light of that, by the grace of God, I can the courageous move by our sister count on the unstinting support When we think of West Africa nations of the UEMOA Community of each one of Your Excellencies in together with our individual to break their longstanding links navigating the immediate future of countries, we are not just being with the Banque de France. our Community. pan-Africanists, we are also being true nationalists, because Fifthly, the consolidation of It is important for all of us to what makes West Africa more democratic governance in the recognise that the way forward is prosperous will make each of turbulent conditions of the to implement regional decisions, our individual countries more Community. We must uphold such as the ECOWAS Trade prosperous. Let us give enthusiastic our constitutive texts, whilst Liberalisation Scheme, recognising support to Community decisions, acknowledging the national that, ultimately, the benefits and build rapidly our Community. conditions of each of our States. are in everyone’s interest. Those Our peoples deserve no less, and This is the guidance that will of us who believe strongly in the objectives of peace, progress enable us promote a satisfactory integration can do no better than and prosperity will, thus, be within resolution of the crisis in Mali. to give our full support to regional our reach, realising the historic decisions. Through this, we will purposes of ECOWAS. The challenges, in these critical build institutional confidence and regional spheres, such as security, integrity in the structural organs of Once again, Excellencies, thank economy, trade, currency and ECOWAS. you for this honour. health, must be addressed in a spirit of genuine co-operation and Let us collaborate to ensure solidarity, if we are to succeed that we adhere to and maintain in overcoming them, which common values of governance,

10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT ON THE OCCASION OF AFRICA DAY 2020 BY THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION, HON. SHIRLEY AYORKOR BOTCHWEY

Africa’s determination to end all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence and prevent genocide in the continent by the end of 2020. The object of this is to create a conducive environment for economic growth and prosperity.

We mark the 2020 Africa Day in the shadows of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has swept across the world including the continent. Even in an era of a challenging pandemic, Africa remains confident and dynamic in the pursuit of its aspirations for a better future for its citizens. African countries are applying technology and innovation to unleash great potentials for its development as well as to address the challenges of climate change. African economies Mr. Speaker are also becoming integrated We began the year 2020 with with the coming into force of the I am honoured to address this confidence and great aspiration, African Continental Free Trade august House on the occasion that the Africa we want could Area (AfCFTA). of Africa Day, which was be attained if we pursue our commemorated on Monday, 25th objectives strategically and with One of the cardinal objectives May, 2020. As we observe this passion. We, therefore, maintained of African leaders in 2020 has day, it is important to acknowledge “Silencing The Guns: Creating been to operationalise the Africa the successes of the African Union, Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Continental Free Trade Agreement and the progress made in the Development” as the theme of (AfCFTA) by establishing The development of the continent as the Union. This is a theme that Secretariat in Accra at the end well as reflect and boldly confront the Union has maintained for of March 2020 and to begin the challenges that lie before us. three consecutive years to reflect

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 11 OCTOBER 20202020 continental trade under the AfCFTA in the world. Such a tremendous having lost their lives on the by 1st July 2020. The AfCFTA is growth in economic activity, if fairly continent. Despite the relatively expected to bring tremendous distributed across the continent, lower morbidity among Africa’s benefits to the continent, including will greatly enhance employment victims, COVID-19 has heightened enhanced continental trade, factor and commercial opportunities uncertainty and its impact on market integration and to also for the idle youth who ordinarily African economies has been quite attract investment for sustained could be manipulated and used disruptive, having reduced national, economic growth to facilitate the by disgruntled and belligerent regional and continental growth creation of the badly needed job individuals for conflict. and revenue while undermining opportunities for the continent. the plans and programmes of our The enhanced trade relations The clear and pragmatic roadmap continental and regional bodies in and growth from this initiative is to leapfrog Africa onto a deserving every facet of our lives. estimated by the United Nations path to Silence the Guns, economic Economic Commission for Africa growth and prosperity has It is obvious that COVID-19 will (UNECA) to be about 52% over regrettably been impacted by the adversely have an impact on our current levels and expected to emergence of the incapacitating ability to meet the aspiration generate a collective GDP of COVID-19 pandemic. Thus far, of the AU Agenda 2063 of a 2.5 trillion for Africa, making the almost 96,000 people have Peaceful, United and Prosperous continent the 8th largest economy been infected with almost 3,000 Continent. Several countries in

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Africa - Ghana inclusive - have will require, more than ever protecting vulnerable populations, had their economic targets and before, our collective, coordinated, preserve jobs and ultimately, avert ratings revised as the virus has strategic and innovative action consequential political and social exposed the deep inequalities that in the fight against this pandemic instability. Ghana supports the call continue to exist on the African and to save lives, without losing for debt relief for African countries continent and across the world. focus on our efforts to advance and a moratorium on the servicing Indeed, it has shown how far we the course of progress and of international loans including are from realizing the development development on the continent. private loans. aspirations and our responsibilities The most effective way for Africa to the citizenry. The pandemic has, to reverse the effects of the To conclude, I wish to state that therefore, put to a great test, the coronavirus disease and prepare COVID-19 is another major test determination and resilience of our for any future pandemic is to assert of the resolve of the AU and continent. our independence in economic, its Member States to advance scientific and political terms. The development on the continent. This bleak outlook notwithstanding, result of self-sufficiency can While dealing with the pandemic, Africa is optimistic of riding the be achieved by boosting intra- and saving lives, Africa cannot storm and coming out successfully continental trade, strengthening defer urgent action on plans and from the pandemic. The pervasive our manufacturing base, departing programmes that will advance negative impact of the pandemic from resource-dependent eco- continental trade and development. nomic principles, improving the We must move ahead with the financial sector, investing more in most ambitious steps towards scientific research and adopting pan-African Integration with the innovative contingency plans to creation of the African Continental contain any potential economic Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ensuring fallout. This global crisis should it is operationalised as soon as enable a new Africa to come to possible. the fore where African countries are able to work together to solve It is imperative to continue to their own problems. keep alive efforts to drive the African agenda of security, peace The unprecedented effects of and stability, democracy and the COVID-19 pandemic have human rights, and of women’s also underscored the need for a emancipation as well as protection collective and coordinated global of the environment. response to assist the world’s most vulnerable countries to mitigate The global health emergency should the harsh economic and financial under no circumstances derail the effects of the pandemic. The targeted effort to Silence the Guns pandemic and its economic fallout on the continent. It is, therefore, has helped to highlight the longer- only through our collective efforts term efforts needed to strengthen and resilience that we can position our health systems, diversify Africa in the right place among the economies and broaden domestic comity of nations. revenue sources of African countries. With the benefit of I thank you for your kind attention. immediate debt relief, developing countries could focus on

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 13 OCTOBERFOREIGN POLICY 2020 AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THE QUESTION OF MULTILATERALISM AMID A GLOBAL CRISIS

In five months, the new coronavirus for the pandemic. WHO, backed by spread from one case in Wuhan, China other United Nations (UN) agencies to about 199 countries and territories such as UN Women, UNICEF and across the globe. Since then, States UNDP, actively campaigned for have been battling the virus and its testing, isolation and contact tracing socio-economic ramifications. The to prevent transmission of the virus, novelty of the virus and the protraction boosting global awareness on the of the pandemic compound the management of the pandemic. burden on governments and citizens. The disruption of international trade Nevertheless, the WHO has faced much coupled with the contraction of criticism regarding its management of economic activities have caused the the global health emergency. Some Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) Member States have registered their By of national economies to fall below scepticism regarding the neutrality of MAAME ABENA annual projections. For instance, the Organisation, even to the point GYAMERAH Ghana’s initial 6.8 per cent estimated of threatening to withdraw much FSO A5 growth in GDP for 2020 has now needed funding at this crucial time. Policy Planning, Monitoring been reviewed downwards to 2.6 %. The lack of cooperation among some and Evaluation Bureau Over the next five years, the World Member States and the doubt cast on (PPMEB) Economic Forum forecasts that the the leadership of the WHO is indeed global economy could lose $3.3 bad press for the Organisation and trillion in case of rapid recovery and an further undermines the multilateral estimated $82 trillion in a ‘worst case framework within which it operates. scenario’. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has described it as the Multilateralism in Crisis ‘worst economic downturn since the COVID-19 caused by the novel great depression’. coronavirus emerged in an already tense global climate. The advent of International collaboration and the so-called ‘populist’ governments response to the global public health in some parts of the Western emergency have been led by the world, growing geopolitical tensions World Health Organisation (WHO). among major powers and waning The WHO remains a relevant source collaboration were perceived as for global data and technical advice. threats to the multilateral order. In the Before recording cases within their wake of the global health crisis, these borders some countries deferred to challenges have been amplified and WHO directives and guidelines in have impacted multilateral efforts to order to be informed and equipped address the pandemic.

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The WHO, which usually does not complex leaving many to question In 2019, the WHO had a budget of get much attention in international the capacity of the UN system to US$2billion, reportedly lower than politics has become the latest address the issues. that of many university hospitals. avenue for hegemonic rivalry. The 20% of its funding is from assessed 73rd World Health Assembly held As Maria-Helena Andre, a Director contributions of Member States, in May 2020, was dominated by at the International Labour the remainder is sourced from political innuendos regarding the Organisation remarked, ‘It is the voluntary payment by States and origin and subsequent management nature of crises to expose new private institutions are usually tied of the coronavirus as well as the faults in a system or widen existing to specific projects. Unfortunately, disputed membership of Taiwan. ones’. The criticisms hurled at the most Member States default in Prior to this, the UN Secretary UN and its specialised agencies their contributions leaving the General, Antonio Guterres, on are but reiterations of existent Organisation at the mercy of the 23rd March 2020 had called for a structural deficits. Prominent few who ‘foot the bill’. It is for this ceasefire to enable humanitarian among them is the neutrality and reason that any suggestion by a efforts reach the most vulnerable in independence of the UN. Critics Member State to pull out funds is such areas and, overall, curtail the opine that the multilateral order not taken lightly. spread of the virus. In support of has been established to advance this, Resolution 2532 (2020) was the interest of major contributing Multilateral Initiatives submitted for adoption at the UN States on whom the UN depend for For a virus that knows no Security Council. Unfortunately, funding. Amid the political blame- geographic boundaries, recognises the resolution, submitted in April, game during the height of the no national colours, identifies with was held up till July due to a dispute crisis a declaration to fill funding no race or ethnicity, cooperation among some permanent members, gaps in the budget of the WHO is is more important than ever with reference to the WHO. interpreted as a strategic move to to defeat it. For this reason, manipulate the organisation. multilateralism is imperative for The United Nations, at the time an effective global response. Even of its formation in 1945, was Besides opposition from dis- with its shortcomings, one can only conceived as a global instrument to gruntled Member States, some imagine the extent of escalation if save succeeding generations from supporters of the WHO have, the WHO did not exist. The WHO the scourge of war. Member States equally, placed on record their published live updates, public were committed to this cause as disappointment with the WHO’s advice and technical guidance on evidenced in the preamble of the unwillingness to ‘handle the its website. The organisation also UN Charter. Between the 60’s situation’. At the outset of the provided briefs and papers on and 70’s the UN enjoyed a surge pandemic, many States defied purely health-related topics such in membership from many States the orders of social distancing, as testing and transmission of who themselves had fought to reluctantly adhered to WHO the virus, as well as, other related end political strife and committed directives, and even advocated subjects such as Human Rights and to the cause of peace. Subsequent against the WHO’s participation Food Safety. to that, the UN’s work in peace in an investigation of the origin of and security, human rights and the virus. Indeed, the WHO was The UN Women, on their part, development have consolidated powerless in enforcing its directives increased advocacy against its position as an agent for global simply because it has no right to domestic violence, seeing that peace and security. The existence do so. States make up multilateral victims were at a heightened risk of the UN is still reassuring and institutions and dictate the extent due to the stay-at-home policy. remains a guarantor for global to which these institutions can act. At the UN General Assembly, stability. However, with the passing This is translated in terms of its Ghana in partnership with Norway, of time, emerging issues in the ability to exercise its independence Switzerland, Singapore, Indonesia international system have proved and authority. and Liechtenstein co-sponsored

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 15 OCTOBER 2020 the foremost COVID-19 resolution and norms which guide and shape In essence, multilateralism for increased global solidarity and state interaction. It is important provides a mechanism by which international cooperation against that these institutionalised diverse national interests of the novel coronavirus outbreak. principles are respected to ensure States are negotiated. The The resolution titled, “Global that States have a predictable resolution and decisions are to solidarity to fight the coronavirus basis to confront such threats. reflect the collective interest. For disease 2019 (COVID-19)” was However, it does not guarantee instance, the establishment of the sponsored by 188 countries and that challenges would not emerge. Sustainable Development Goals, unanimously adopted by the Former Secretary General Dag the successor to the Millennium 193-member General Assembly. Hammarskjöld in a press release Development Goals, is now the in 1954 stated “It has been said universally accepted agenda for Non-State Actors were not left that the United Nations was not development for all 193 Member out of the multilateral initiatives created in order to bring us to States of the UN. towards the management of the heaven but in order to save us from pandemic. The UN ‘Solidarity Flight’ hell”. The reality is that the UN, and Multilateralism has been immen- dispatched Personal Protective by extension other multilateral sely impacted by the pandemic but Equipment (PPEs) and medical institutions, is not as idealistic as fortunately, since the end of World supplies to African States; an it is perceived. Its effectiveness is War II, monumental crises have outcome of the collaborative effort limited by the conflicting interest occasioned, at best, a reformation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of of member States with elements rather than a dissolution of Ethiopia, Ali Baba Foundation’s of success shown only in instances multilateralism. As a rules-based Initiative to Reverse COVID-19 in where their interests converge. system, the rules are not the be- Africa, and technical support from It could be argued that many are all and end-all, but conditioned the AU’s Africa Centre for Disease ‘underwhelmed’ by the efforts of to enable the achievement of Control and Prevention. the United Nations, mainly because consensus. The common objective the expectations placed on them now is to eradicate COVID-19, Beyond the management of the are lofty. the common objective after that pandemic, multilateral engagement would be to ensure rapid recovery is imperative in finding a vaccine as Furthermore, seeing that States and attend to other global well as ensuring fair access to it. have varied levels of influence emergencies like poverty and A collaborative effort is practical and resources across the globe climate change. The pandemic, due to the technicalities involved Multilateralism is presented as a though an unfortunate situation and its cost-effectiveness, given remedy to the relatively smaller should be a catalyst to reinvigorate the exorbitant amount required to states who band together and multilateralism and renew Member fund such research. Aside freeing amplify their voices. African States’ commitment to ensure that mankind from the fatal virus, a countries and other developing the order is fair and equitable. vaccine would expedite economic states have therefore benefitted recovery and may reap great immensely from multilateral fora. returns to its founder. The Africa Group and the G77 are significant negotiating blocs at the The Case for Multilateralism UN General Assembly. The Africa In an anarchic international system Group is also one of the major as theorised by international partners of the Intergovernmental relations scholars, States exist Negotiations Framework (IGN) in constant threat, whether working within the United Nations perceived or real, of each other. to further reform the United Multilateralism thus creates a Nations Security Council (UNSC). system of principles, procedures

16 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 PERSPECTIVES OF A GHANAIAN DIPLOMAT ON A CHANGING WORLD ORDER

The world’s history is characterised by globalization and multilateralism. various evolutionary stages that have This is because the movement of been occasioned by major events. goods and people across borders The current international system for will become less free, ushering in instance could be attributed to the a wave of protectionism that may occurrence of World Wars I and II as intensify great power competition as well as other major events. In a similar well as accelerate regional disorders manner, the industrial and technological and worsen humanitarian crisis in revolutions preceded the current world parts of the world that are already economic order of globalisation. bedeviled by conflicts. Burns further predicts that international institutions Perhaps, one of the reasons every on whose shoulders multilateralism evolutionary stage eventually gives rest will be weakened or torn apart By way to another might be due to the by major power rivalry and starved MOHAMMED IMORO fact that every world order has its for resources by these same powers First Secretary strengths and weaknesses. With such who may undermine the institutional Embassy of Ghana trends in world history, it is expected prospects for a coordinated response Tehran that the COVID-19 pandemic could to other looming global challenges easily serve as a catalyst to usher in a such as climate change and terrorism. new world order. The above predictions appear to Philippe Legrain, writing in Foreign have taken into consideration the Policy magazine, has noted that weaknesses of globalisation and the COVID-19 pandemic is not just multilateralism which constitute a temporary shock to the global the core character of the current economic and political system, but world order. Critics of globalisation could also end globalisation. Rebecca for instance, label as unfair, the easy Solnit in The New York Times concurred movement of goods, services and with this line of argument when she technology across national boundaries, observed that every disaster disrupts as against cross-border movement the world order. of people which is closely regulated and restricted, creating a situation In this regard, William Burns, a former of discrimination between two major US diplomat, predicted that pandemics factors of production, namely; capital such as COVID-19 would affect and labour. The situation is further

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 17 OCTOBER 20202020 exacerbated by asymmetrical system is palpably written on the strategic response and reaction to economic interdependence. In wall. Even before the COVID-19 what appears to be an imminently this era of globalisation, it is an pandemic, the international approaching new world order, to undeniable fact that there is a political system was witnessing a enable them remain relevant and high degree of interdependence wave of far right political parties become optimal beneficiaries. among countries of the industrial with nationalist ideology grabbing Conventional wisdom captures this North than between them and political power in some countries in likely situation aptly when it says their non-industralised Southern the global north. that ‘it takes a wise bird to practice counterparts, thereby creating how to escape bullets whenever a situation of considerable The COVID-19 pandemic has it observes that the hunter is dependence of the latter on the also exposed the fragility of practicing to shoot accurately’. former. globalisation which relies heavily on global supply chains on just- In the event that the foregoing A situation of interdependence in-time basis and the practice really triggers a significant is what Nayyar describes in the of crisscrossing goods over alteration to the architecture of Cambridge Journal of Economics international borders has been the current international political (2006), as one where the benefits severely affected due to national system, what should be the new of linking and the costs of delinking lockdowns and flight cancellations strategy of the Ghanaian diplomat are about the same for both parties; across the globe. Consequently, vis-à-vis the attainment of the but where both costs and benefits shipment of important medical country’s foreign policy objectives are unequal between parties, it supplies became almost that largely favour multilateralism implies a situation of dependence. impossible, thereby creating as dictated by Chapter Six, Article While the first scenario is shortages. The situation compelled 40 (d) of the 1992 Constitution of characteristic of the relationship many countries, including Ghana, the Republic of Ghana? Besides, the among developed countries in the to embark on local production global change and its anticipated current world order, the second of these essential products they consequences are happening at scenario is also a feature of the hitherto relied on other countries a time when Ghana is leveraging relationship between developing to obtain. the international system for its and developed countries. economic diplomacy strategy. The Maybe our own compatriot, success of this strategy in a new Whatever the arguments may the late Kofi Annan, former UN global order would be tested by be, it is obvious that the world Secretary General could be labeled time. has a pandemic to contain. It is as a prophet with honour when also obvious that there shall be a he observed in a Channel4.com Ghana’s foreign policy goals have global economic slowdown as a interview that the world order not changed significantly since consequence of the pandemic. as we know it is under stress and independence in 1957. Perhaps Another reality is that the mainstream political leaders have what might be undergoing changes international political and economic not stood up to defend it. He to match the exigencies of time system will not be the same after concluded that if the world does are the strategies to achieve these the COVID-19 pandemic. In that not give globalisation a human face goals which are shaped by various connection, nations are likely to and share its benefits fairly, all the political regimes. Therefore, if the hold themselves in readiness to “isms” will come back, and that the global architecture is reconstituted realign their strategies in achieving world’s order is almost there. after the COVID-19 pandemic, their respective foreign policy Ghana is likely to be faced with 2 goals in the new world order. The What is not yet clear, however, is scenarios. time to plan relevant strategies is the preparedness of the countries now since the signs of a changing of the global South in terms of a

18 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020

The first scenario is likely to be enough over time to accelerate is altered, Ghana’s national interest an alliance of states from the inclusive growth and development. will be best served in working global North and South that still towards the achievement of the favour the current world order The second scenario on the other first scenario, which is in line and for that matter, are ready hand, is likely to be made up of a with the principles of Ghana’s to rescue what appears to be a collection of states that regard the foreign policy and its belief in wobbly international system of current international system as multilateralism. multilateralism and the discontent dysfunctional, and are therefore unleashed by the current strand looking forward to a new order. of globalisation. Such an alliance may still nurse the hope that these In the event that the architecture institutions would be strengthened of the current global world order

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 19 OCTOBER 2020 MULTILINGUALISM: A STRATEGIC ENABLER IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Language is a complex human Language is a useful tool for any human phenomenon which has defied a discourse. Through it, ideas are shared, coherent synthesis of its meaning. The views exchanged and great landmarks definition of language over the years reached. Words, gestures and tone remains inadequate despite numerous in unison, make the expression of attempts by various philosophers ideas and emotions possible. It is also including Aristotle, Chomsky, Sapir and a great medium by which queries are Bloomfield to explain this phenomenon put across for resolution and emotions in various forms. According to expressed to inform responses. Aristotle, language stands for speech Indeed, it is the most efficient tool that humans produce for exchanging for communication among members their experiences from which ideas of any race, creed, religion and region and emotions flow. To Bloomfield, of the world. However, this obvious By the totality of the utterances that usefulness of language is severely GRACE MAAKINYI MBIBA can be made in a speech community hampered when communication has to FSO A5 is the language of that community. take place across cultures and different Africa & Regional According to Sapir, language is a purely languages. This challenge of language Integration Bureau human and non-instinctive method is accentuated at the international level of communicating ideas, emotions, where it can become a limiting factor and desires by means of a system to smooth, efficient and effective of voluntarily produced sounds. In international relations and diplomacy. other words, language constitutes a system of sounds produced by International Relations, Diplomacy humans for communication. The above and Multilingualism three definitions appear to limit the International relations represent the application of language by humans overall interaction among countries, to only the spoken. However, the supranational organisations and their Encyclopedia Britannica expansively sub-structures. Diplomacy is the skillful includes both spoken (speech or practice of conducting international vocal sound), signed, non-verbal and relations between representatives written elements of communication of states to usually enhance cordial in the definition of language. From the and harmonious coexistence. The aforesaid, it is clear that language is a combination of international relations means of both verbal and non-verbal and diplomacy is often referred to communication among humans. as diplomatic relations. Obviously,

20 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 diplomacy and diplomatic and counter play of other areas of (UK) government following the relations may be enhanced by international coexistence such as observation that Britain’s global multilingualism. information gathering. According business standing and its position in to a report published by the the diplomatic world was at serious Multilingualism is the use of United Kingdom (UK) Parliament’s risk due to a lack of language skills. a number of languages in one Foreign Affairs Committee, the At the reopening of the Foreign and country or community and the lack of Russian speakers in the Commonwealth Office Language ability to speak three or more by Foreign Office had left diplomats Centre in September 2013, Hague an individual is termed individual ill-equipped to anticipate Russia’s had indicated that the ability to multilingualism. Multilingualism military incursions into Ukrainian speak, read, listen and write in a in diplomacy or diplomatic territory back in 2015. foreign language was one of the multilingualism can be defined as fundamental skills of diplomats, the ability to speak three or more At the supranational level, Kofi adding that it was impossible different languages that are official, Annan’s candidature for the United without it for diplomats to get to the extent that the diplomat Nation (UN) Secretary General “under the skin of a country and can meaningfully communicate was opposed by then French really understand its people.” with his counterparts who speak President Jacque Chirac ostensibly those different languages. At the on account of a perception that he The importance of the multilingual very least, the hiring of translators did not speak French. It eventually diplomat has in recent times caught and interpreters can ensure that turned out that Annan was fluent the attention of all and sundry. A diplomatic relations are conducted in French, which in no small way former Foreign Secretary, Jeremy in different languages with minimal hushed the French opposition Hunt, in November 2018, through difficulty. Needless to say, smooth, of his candidature. His French the help of Arab-speaking UK efficient and effective diplomatic language skill was a key arsenal in diplomats in the Middle East relations require the masterly his complex diplomatic work during successfully persuaded the United use of multiple languages by the his two terms as the UN Secretary Arab Emirates to pardon Matthew diplomat. General. At the sub-regional level, Hedges from a life sentence on the President Akufo-Addo has been grounds of suspicion of espionage The Importance of involved in mediation efforts in by the British academic. In the Multilingualism in Diplomatic countries including Togo and Mali, build up to the intervention, Mr. Relations in 2018 and 2020, respectively Hunt was in the news over an The masterly use of multiple between ruling governments and entirely different diplomatic feat languages by a considerable the opposition. His effectiveness when he addressed his audience in number of diplomats should be the in such mediation efforts is in no Tokyo, with an appreciable grasp ideal to which every nation aspires. doubt enhanced by his fluency in of Japanese in September 2018. In other words, a nation’s diplomats the French language. The Foreign Secretary’s fluency in should have diverse multilingual languages other than English made backgrounds such that all official Research published in 2018 by headlines. languages of the world are the Britain-Israel Communication covered. The ability of diplomats and Research Centre (BICOM) Indeed, Ghana also recognises the to interact with citizens and found that just one-third of invaluable importance of language diplomats of a receiving country British diplomats working in Arab in diplomatic relations. For instance, in a common language enhances countries actually spoke Arabic. A at the 17th La Francophonie a country’s visibility and appeal. It former Foreign Secretary, William Summit of 2018, H.E. Nana Addo can also have a blurring effect on Hague, who had anticipated the Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed cultural and religious boundaries, problem took a personal interest in the summit in impeccable French thereby increasing affinity, which addressing the language problem to the admiration of many and can be hugely successful in the play within the United Kingdom indicated Ghana’s intention to

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 21 OCTOBER 20202020 promote the learning of French language in the country. The importance of multilingualism, therefore, cannot be over- emphasised. Good diplomatic relations is the foundation on which cordial and special international relationships are built. Given the innumerable benefits of multilingualism in diplomatic relations, no country is excused of its inability and unintentionality in training and equipping its human capital particularly diplomats, with multilingual skills for negotiations in international relations and diplomacy. Therefore, the knowledge of languages not only prepares a country’s as the proverb goes. The Hon. and its optimal, even masterly diplomats for the task ahead, but Minister for Education affirmed use, is not simply a l’art-pour- also deepens the bilateral relations that these deliberate steps l’artistic (nice to have) skill, it between countries. The Ministry’s towards the acquisition of the is an absolute must, a conditio collaboration with the Language French language would facilitate sine qua non of a successful, Centre of the Universidad Ghana’s full membership into La professional, “complete” diplomat Pontificia Bolivariana of Colombia Francophonie for mutual interest. and his responsible approach to is one such effort to improve the Recognising the role languages his demanding job as asserted by proficiency of Ghanaian diplomats play on the world stage, China Kurbalija and Slavik in their book and public servants in the Spanish has committed to investing more Language and Diplomacy which Language. The Ministry’s Foreign in the development of diplomatic was published in 2001. Service Institute will also provide skills such as the learning of other dedicated language training for languages among the general Indeed, the attention given to Ghanaian diplomats and public population and its diplomats in multilingualism pales by comparison servants. particular. In a sustained effort to the recognition that it is an to improve international relations invaluable asset for any country. Ghana has also put in place a with Africa, China has been Many countries upon realisation long-term strategy of equipping encouraging its diplomats to learn of the benefits of language and its tomorrow’s leaders and potential the local tongues of important contributions to diplomacy, engage diplomats with French language ‘strategic’ areas on the continent. in language exchange training skills. At the opening ceremony programmes for their mutual of La Francophonie week in Accra Language is indeed a strategic benefits. In Ghana for example, in 2019, Hon. Matthew Opoku enabler in human discourse the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prempeh, Minister for Education, especially across people and Regional Integration has in place, explained the initiative of the cultures of different languages. It is language training programmes Ministry of Education in establishing a must have, ‘conditio sine qua non’ in French and Spanish to equip bilingual schools at the basic level for smooth, efficient and effective diplomats for the task ahead. The of education, where children from diplomatic relations. acquisition of these languages class one (1) are taught the French by both Foreign Service Officers language through games and play. and public servants undoubtedly The early bird catches the worm

22 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 ENHANCING ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY IN AN ERA OF ‘GHANA BEYOND AID’

As a lower middle-income country, the cover fiscal gaps and, in a number of aspiration of many Ghanaians for the instances, to finance very important creation of a self-reliant nation, with development programmes. equitable access to the benefits of progress is firmly etched in the nation’s It is in this regard, that President collective consciousness. The history Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of the nation and the various economic since his assumption of office on 7th models it has pursued towards broad- January 2017, has placed the focus based development have however only of his government on, among others, produced mixed results. The structure the restructuring of the economy, of the Ghanaian economy remains the integrated industrialisation of largely unchanged from the colonial the country, the deepening of the economy, with commodity exports macro-economic fundamentals and By dominating the trading relations of the the widening of international market NASHIRU ABDULAI nation. Since the 1960s, the national access for Ghanaian goods and First Secretary development agenda has also relied services. Embassy of Ghana heavily on international aid support to Addis Ababa

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 23 OCTOBER 2020

Reaffirming his commitment to of Parliament on Monday, 23rd all foreign ministries have had deliver on his promise for a resilient January 2017, in connection to take since the end of the Cold and prosperous nation, President with her nomination for the post War. Besides helping to promote Akufo-Addo in his address of Ghana’s Foreign Minister, a State’s prosperity, economic to the nation during the 61st Honourable Shirley Ayorkor diplomacy has also become Independence Day celebration of Botchwey, Member of Parliament an important instrument for Ghana, at the Black Star Square on for Anyaa Sowutuom stated that managing, for most countries, the Tuesday, 6th March, 2018, evinced the foreign policy of this country nexus between power and wealth; that the realization of his vision of is more focused on Economic manipulating the instrument, on a Ghana Beyond Aid “requires a Diplomacy so as to ensure occasion, in foreign commercial deliberate, qualitative change in all that every relationship Ghana and financial relations in support of aspects of our lives; especially, in engages in, that relationship ends its foreign policy. the structure of our economy, the up in promoting and protecting nature of our infrastructure, the the economic interest of Ghana The competitive and dynamic education of our young people and and gives the country positive nature of the international acquisition of skills...” dividends towards its development. economic arena imposes a demand on the modern diplomat to not While the agenda for a Ghana In the aftermath of the Cold War only be savvy in the matters of Beyond Aid is not a radical ‘delink’ and following the reorientation traditional diplomacy but to have of the nation’s development from of the economic paradigm of the skills of a salesman or marketer. external financial assistance it Ghana towards a more market- It is no wonder that a number of is understood within the policy driven approach to economic foreign ministries designate their environment that even a gradual management, the country has ambassadors as also their chief weaning of the country off rightly placed emphasis on commercial representatives. international aid will cease at economic diplomacy with the some point. Indeed, as stated by objective of seeking market access Nana Bema Kumi, a former President Akufo-Addo, “even if for Ghanaian products in the Ambassador of Ghana to the there were no aid fatigue, and international market, attracting European Union, Belgium and with the best will in the world and foreign direct investments to Luxembourg, recognises this point the most charitable governments enhance the productive capacity when in her article on Ghana’s in place in the so-called donor of the country and promoting challenges in a New Diplomatic countries, there will never be the unique tourism attractions of Environment she states that, enough aid to develop Ghana to the country to enhance financial Ghana’s envoys, both state and the level we want. Aid was never inflows and improve income levels non-state actors, should, as meant to be what would bring us to particularly in the provincial areas forerunners in the new scheme the status of a developed nation.” where most of these tourism of diplomacy and development, assets are located. The component be spearheading negotiations that The development agenda of official economic cooperation could lead to an appreciable level of of the Government places which dominated in earlier years value-addition and better terms of significant responsibilities on has become less pervasive and trade with positive consequences Ghana’s diplomacy and requires a more targeted. on the country’s balance of strengthening of the orientation payments”. and intensity of diplomatic efforts It is now widely understood, in the to support the national agenda. era of liberalism, that economic Significantly, the national agenda This realisation was signalled diplomacy constitutes a significant appears to be fortuitously aligned very early in the tenure of the part of diplomacy. The path, with positive outcomes of Ghana’s administration, when speaking to therefore, adopted by Ghana’s foreign policy engagements on the Appointments Committee Foreign Ministry is one that almost the African continent, including

24 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020

the adoption and implementation diplomacy if the broad vision Medium Enterprises (SME) sector of the agreement on the African for a Ghana Beyond Aid is to be to enable them tap into the value Continental Free Trade Area effectively realised. There would chain will need to be supported by (AfCFTA), whose Secretariat be the need for the Foreign Ghanaian diplomacy. is hosted in Accra. Among the Service Institute, which is soon expected strategic benefits of to be operationalised, to offer The Ghana Beyond Aid agenda is an AfCFTA is that it will increase intra- professional programmes in areas ambitious but doable programme. African trade and coordination such as commercial representation Its success may not be immediate. within the African continent. In and market analysis. Nonetheless, it speaks to the fact, it is estimated that intra- general aspiration of all Ghanaians African trade will increase by as These diplomatic expertise and its implementation is one much as US$35 billion per annum, will be required to bridge the that must be inter-generationally or 52 percent by 2022. Other national programmes that are promoted and supported. The complementary programmes on already being implemented Foreign Ministry is also required the continent, contained in the such as the ‘One District, One to provide its support and as the Agenda 2063, such as the Single Factory (1D1F)’ Initiative and host country for AfCFTA, has a African Air Transport Market the establishment of Strategic greater role in leveraging Ghana’s will also play supportive roles to Anchor Industries Initiatives, in position to become the new improve the continental economy the automotive, iron and steel commercial capital of Africa, a and provide an expanded market industries, with the continental regional trade hub and economic space for Ghanaian industry. and global markets. Other equally epicentre, and the new gateway important initiatives like ‘One for the widespread prosperity of Ghanaian diplomats would Region, One Park’ (Industrial Parks the African continent. therefore need to enhance their & Special Economic Zones), and capacity in the area of economic development of the Small and

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 25 OCTOBER 2020

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Be informed about the regulations pertaining to travel in the country of destination for: • Testing • Quarantine • Associated Costs.

Be prepared with the following: • Valid travel documents • Travel insurance • Adequate funds for living expenses • Other pre-boarding requirements

On arrival at your final destination: • Register with a Ghana Mission close to you

26 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

When the stranglehold of life chokes you And doom and gloom stare you in the face Lose not life’s courage Reach out to the Mighty One To obtain enduring fortitude In the eye of the storm

When the agonising path of life unnerves you And sores and bruises mar your every step Detest not the narrow path Hold on to the steadiest Guide To obtain enduring footing In the eye of the storm

BY: When the degeneracy of the world beckons you GRACE MAAKINYI MBIBA And vice and sleaze lure you FSO A5 Breach not life’s virtues Reach out to the Unseen Watcher To gain enduring perspective In the eye of the storm

In the eye of the storm, lose not life’s focus In the eye of the storm, detest not the narrow path In the eye of storm, breach not life’s morals Stay under the banner of Omnipotence To secure enduring peace In the eye of the storm POEM

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 27 OCTOBER 2020

BOOK REVIEW: HARVESTING DIPLOMACY IN A PATRIOTIC SPIRIT

BREAKING DOWN DIPLOMACY: AN INSIDER MANUAL TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AMBASSADOR KWABENA OSEI DANQUAH

Those of us who have had privileged could be various legitimate reasons access to the books on Diplomacy or excuses for this phenomenon but recently authored by four Ghanaian the regrettable result is that there is a Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) - notable paucity of authentic first hand three retired; one still serving- have recordings of valuable material in the been greatly inspired by the talent field.” and intellectual rigour that produced works anchored on the writers’ From their various perspectives, the unique experiences in the diplomatic authors have given depth and meaning profession at home and abroad. to the roles we are obliged to play as diplomats in building our nation. The AMBASSADOR ALBERT The significance of these achievements sort of innovations required in training; YANKEY is enhanced by the late Ambassador individual initiatives and better use Chief Director Benjamin G. Godwyll’s observation of the Ministry’s human resources Ministry of Foreign Affairs that “Some of us, senior Ghanaian that would enable us play our roles and Regional Integration Foreign Service Officers, particularly effectively have been addressed in one the retired Ambassadors, have often way or another. wondered why very few of us have ever cared to put down in writing our The lessons learnt from those experiences during or after our service.” experiences that have been chronicled At the same time, he also felt “There by the writers in their books ought to

28 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 inform and shape the orientation Ambassador Kwabena Osei various authors that deserve programmes designed for newly- Danquah who worked with the special attention. Among them are recruited officers as well as those United Nations Population Fund the difference between Foreign embarking on postings abroad. (UNFPA) for over 20 years, after Policy and Diplomacy; the essence serving at the Ghana Embassy and significance of diplomatic In short, we cannot afford to let the in Prague, Czech Republic and protocol; negotiation skills in works of our illustrious colleagues Ghana’s Permanent Mission in New pursuit of interests within bilateral gather dust on the shelves, at a York has also graced his retirement and multilateral structures. time when the standards of our with a book entitled Breaking down profession and the Ghana public Diplomacy: An Insider’s Manual to The issue of diplomatic protocol services in general could be further the United Nations enhances our is now an all-embracing public enhanced to measure up to the understanding of the complexities and private service requirement. expectations of our principals and of the diplomatic profession. The nature of contacts between nationals. influential political, sports, In June 2018, Mr. Harold Adlai business as well as religious actors Now that the Foreign Service Agyeman, the Director of of the various states call for Institute is near completion, it Administration, presented me better diffusion of rules and tools might be prudent to draw on the a copy of his book, Diplomatic of diplomatic protocol. This is to relevant proposals in the various Protocol (A Guide for Ghanaian ensure better harmony and fewer books to enrich the curriculum Diplomats and Senior Government surprises when such events do of the Institute. The potential Officials). occur. for regular innovation in training officers is quite huge and must be The stated purpose is “to assist Some experts such as Chas fully explored. young career Foreign Service Freeman have observed that Officers, new non-career ‘Diplomacy is often confused with Ambassador D.K. Osei who Ambassadors and other senior foreign policy’. was former President Kufuor’s officials of government within Secretary and an Ambassador- the foreign affairs community While “ Foreign policy establishes at-large was also a highly skilled who desire to acquire the refined goals, prescribes strategies, and interpreter at international knowledge of diplomatic protocol.” sets the broad tactics to be used conferences prior to his retirement Understanding the rules and in their accomplishment”, on the from the Foreign Service. His practices that comprise diplomatic other hand, “Diplomacy is the diverse experiences have been protocol helps build the confidence principal substitute for the use of chronicled in his book Privileged of persons who must operate in force or underhanded means in Conversations: Adventures of an those circles. statecraft; it is how comprehensive African Diplomat. national power is applied to the I see the work on Diplomatic peaceful adjustment of differences The depth of his diplomatic Protocol as nothing less than between states.” Diplomacy is thus experience captured in the book is another path-breaking product an instrument of foreign policy. astounding. that would inspire his colleagues as well as up and coming FSOs to The promotion of ‘peaceful Ambassador William George embrace the knowledge contained adjustment of differences between Mensah Brandful is the author of therein, build on the lessons states’ has remained a cornerstone Personal Reflections of a Ghanaian learned and possibly enrich their of bilateral and multilateral Foreign Service Officer. Whither career experiences in future. relations. Indeed, it may not be far- Ghanaian Diplomacy? fetched to consider this as one of A number of critical strategic the reasons why diplomats train in issues have been raised by the external institutions which provide

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 29 OCTOBER 2020 an opportunity to build relations recruited an officer with the for the International Financing for and make friends. This practice right qualities for the profession. Development at Monterrey. No has long persisted. Indeed, we There is a lot to learn from such a wonder his book opens with the learn from Ambassador Brandful’s personality. subject of negotiations as one of book that even the pioneer group the most useful skills of a diplomat, of Ghana Foreign Service Officers Interestingly, Ambassador Kwabena especially in the multilateral world that was recruited in 1955 Osei-Danquah who was recruited of power dynamics and conflicting was assigned to various foreign in April 1986 (almost 10 years interests. missions abroad as part of their after Ambassador D. K. Osei training. joined the Ministry in 1976) Ambassador Brandful’s question has in his own unique way also “Whither Ghana’s Diplomacy?”, The intensity of the highly undergone particularly intensive which is the subtitle of his book, productive diplomatic work done diplomatic experience, especially remains a challenge to the Foreign by Ambassador D.K. Osei especially at the UNFPA over the past twenty Ministry. The good news is that in Africa and all over the world, both years. His work was crowned with it is a challenge that can be as a Foreign Service Officer and the position of Chef de Cabinet effectively handled by drawing on Secretary to former President J.A. of the 73rd President of the UN the experiences chronicled in the Kufuor, was extraordinary. It had a General Assembly, Her Excellency four publications mentioned and lot to do with his warm and friendly María Fernanda Espinosa, from their inherent wisdom. personality as well as his liberal Ecuador. As an active member of outlook. His autobiographical notes the G77 and China group he had clearly show that the Ministry also served as the lead negotiator

30 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter COVID -19

COVID-19 PANDEMIC, RACIST ATTACKS AND AFRICA!!!

The world will not be the same when coronavirus pandemic but this was not the dust settles after the COVID-19 to be. pandemic. Projections for a post COVID-19 world are already underway. By April 2020, all manner of threats Will it be an era of new global power were lobbed at the Ethiopian-born configurations? How will the impact Director General of the World Health of COVID-19 shape the global social Organisation, Dr. Tedros Adhanom landscape? Ghebreyesus. In the midst of the global turmoil, reports of attacks on Coincidentally, the pandemic became black people living or studying in China more noticeable during the February began to emerge. What was surprising 2020 Black History Month. Some was the lame attempt to blame another were drawing attention to critical ‘hot zone’ virus on people of African By issues affecting Africa and Africans. descent. Admirably, the reaction and MAWUTOR N.K. ALIFO The ‘black lives matter’ chants were condemnation by African governments FSO A1 then suddenly overshadowed by the and the African diplomatic corps in Ghana High Commission unfolding pandemic. In Ghana, plans Beijing were swift and to a good effect. Ottawa were underway for a sequel to the successful Year-of-Return programme. Still, the pandemic has lessons to How sad! Global tourism is now at a teach about human vulnerability. We near standstill. must acknowledge that in the wake of this health crisis, all races (African, One would have thought the attention Asian, Caucasian, etc.) have not been of the world would be focused on spared by the non-discriminatory collective efforts to combat the novel virus. This pandemic has shown how

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 31 OCTOBER 2020 quickly human society can regress 1. Trade in black slaves through it takes collective effort to make into old patterns of thought and the Saharan Desert to North it. We must reinforce that winning behaviour even with a plethora of Africa (the Maghreb). mindset. international treaties and laws that 2. Trade in humans from the seek to abolish the last vestiges east coast of Africa across the If there is one thing to be gained of human errancy. International Indian Ocean or the Red Sea to from the COVID-19 pandemic, treaties may not mean much to the Persian Gulf and western it is the realization that we must panicked populations and when India. work together as one indivisible it is a matter of life and death, 3. The Nile Valley trade from the continent with a vibrant diaspora anything can happen out there on eastern Sudan to Egypt; and striving for the following: the streets. Scapegoats of every 4. ‘Modern’ Atlantic slave trade colour can easily be found. It only from the West coast of Africa a. Improved Image depends on where you are at any to the Americas, the Caribbean It will require extra hard-work given moment and what street – Fifteenth to Nineteenth to diffuse or erase the negative you’re walking down. centuries, ending around images about Africa and Africans. 1833. The ‘dark continent’ label was Then in May 2020, another stamped on Africa by outsiders. tragedy struck! George Floyd!!! Could there be deep-seated, sub- This led to the political and conscious attitudes towards Africa economic subjugation as well as the All people, regardless of race, and Africans still lingering in our ‘Islamisation’ and ‘Christianisation’ can easily become victims - or modern era? I thought about the of a continent. It’s time to embrace even victimisers – given the unimaginable impact of nearly a science, technology and research circumstances. But what makes thousand years of servitude and to propel our advancement. The Africans and people of African slavery (dark Africans being the continent ought to strategize and descent especially vulnerable to dominant victims) and how that skirt around our ‘image woes’ in racism and xenophobia? might have solidified common mainstream media. For example, stereotypes of African people. I the African Union (AU) may help I reflected and groped for answers. tried to shrug it off, but it wouldn’t accelerate the implementation I questioned why some of the go away. of communication and media major religions – Islam, Judaism, strategies to ensure balanced Christianity and even to some There’s no silver bullet to fix racist reportage on Africa and Africans. extent, indigenous African religions attitudes in our murky world – and Putting the continent’s house in - were used to justify the slave racism goes a lot of different ways. order means a rejection of being trade and colonialism. Anyone can encounter racism the face of misery, destitution, and anywhere at any time. squalor and that also amounts to A quote in John Wright’s book assuming primary responsibility for caught my attention: ‘What are However, as Africans, even though our own development. they made for but to serve us? Go there’s little we can do about the and take them, for they are Kaffirs past, it’s within our innate capacity b. A Stronger Economy and we cannot do without them’. to change our future. It starts from History will judge whether (or (Arab boy, quoted by George Lyon a strong belief that we can create not) the international community (1820) in John Wright. The Trans- a better future for ourselves...if acted swiftly enough to nip Saharan Slave Trade.) The author we are truly willing to work to that the coronavirus in the bud. The proceeded to list the four major end. There is more to our story, continent must emerge from types of slavery on the African more to our past, present, and the pandemic with renewed ‘can continent from the Fifth Century future. Some countries in regions do spirit’ of self-sufficiency. It’s up to 1833 namely: of utter aridity have made it. But a matter of urgency. In times

32 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter of crises, people must help statistical data management of its themselves first before helping human and natural resources. It others. This bitter truth should was so remarkable to see the daily inspire the AU to consider a trade counts of patients and confirmed policy with a tinge of autarky to COVID-19 cases from the various protect the African market. countries. The continent should build on that to create reliable data A resurgent and roaring African Lion for national planning and decision- would go a long way toward helping making. to change attitudes towards Africa and Africans. Luckily, a lot is going d. Implementation well in the continent because of The operationalization of the the advantage of having a youthful AfCFTA and implementation of population. Governments taking Agenda 2063 are great markers action to provide accessible and of political will and commitment. quality education deserve the The post COVID-19 period loudest applause. An educated and should witness the successful skilled populace will help sustain implementation of the big the current tempo of the continent regional and global plans not which boasts of having not less forgetting about the Sustainable than five countries among the Development Goals (SDGs). fastest growing economies in the If the innumerable people who world. In a nutshell, it doesn’t have to be fought for equal rights, fought re-stated that Africans are not less against racism, discrimination and c. Data and Impact endowed (in faculties) than other xenophobia, etc. were to resurrect The lull in global markets (and a humans. The study of the rise and today, will they be shocked that in fast-approaching global economic loss of influence of civilizations can 2020, some human beings have recession) means the continent be our useful guide. During the still not shed their ethnic, racist would have to brace itself with past 70 years, Asian nations have and sectarian bigot-tendencies? common antidotes to deal with steadily laid the blocks for strong I believe Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey, the fallout from shrinking markets economies. That remarkable Ottobah Cugoano, Olauda Equiano, for African goods and services. example should serve as a source of Booker T. Washington, Frederick The COVID-19 pandemic has motivation for Africa. The Japanese Douglass, Dred Scott, Dr. Martin had a disproportionate impact on focused on electronics and autos, Luther King Jnr., among others, will people of African descent in some Indians are into ICT, Thailand, the be reciting a supplication for racial western countries. How will this world’s kitchen, Singapore for harmony and peace in our world. further impact on the purchasing cleanliness and trust, while China power and remittances for African became the world’s factory. Was To conclude, Africa and Africans economies? The full extent of the there a time not so long ago, when should ask the ultimate question. pandemic’s impact could be part of some of these countries lagged “What do we wish to be known for an evaluation of the incapacitating behind some African and European in the next 50 years? What ethos debt servicing obligations countries in standard of living? do we need to drive our progress?” confronting African economies. As for those who hate others on The answers are within us during As Africa pushes its way forward grounds of race or ethnicity, we --- and --- after --- COVID-19. on these and other issues, the can advise them to go and read continent must come out of this John Howard Griffin’s Black Like pandemic with new strategies for Me.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 33 OCTOBER 2020 A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON COVID-19

In the very first year of my career with work that day. That very practical the Ministry, a senior colleague gave personal decision got me thinking me this piece of advice: “Cultivate the about how the US$ 532 billion global habit of reading widely; read whatever cosmetic industry would be impacted you lay hands on, be it on politics, by COVID-19 and what that meant in drugs, sports, cosmetics, celebrity terms of livelihoods around the world. lifestyle, just anything, because in this career no information is useless.” I took Cosmetics and skin care industry his advice and, in course of time, came insiders acknowledge that COVID-19 to appreciate its relevance to my job will indeed have a negative impact on as a Foreign Service Officer. Indeed, their business. However, according there is no limit to the kinds of subject to Carrie Mellage, Vice President matter or issues one might encounter of Kline & Company’s Consumer By or be assigned to cover in the course Products Practice, while the industry REINA BAAH SACKEY of one’s work as a diplomat. You could will undoubtedly suffer in 2020, it FSO A2 be covering or attending a security is expected to recover within three Office of the council meeting on terrorism one to five years. According to her, the Chief Director week, and an international meeting cosmetic and beauty industry is fairly on cosmetics or climate change the recession-proof and has survived every next. No subject matter is off-limits or recession. In fact, it is predicted that, frivolous or trivial in this business. while colour cosmetics and fragrance will be hard hit, mood-boosting beauty As I was getting ready for the first such as nail polishes and facial skin care day of work following the lifting of and clean beauty products will do well the lockdown in Accra, I picked up both during and after COVID. my lipstick to apply, then I thought to myself why I needed a lipstick if I Along with ditching my lipstick and was going to cover more than half of makeup, I also decided against wearing my face behind a mask. That’s when I any jewelry to work during the started to ponder all the ways in which pandemic. I did not want to provide the Coronavirus pandemic was poised more avenues for the virus to get to to alter our everyday life and choices. me or spread. At an instant, I came to So, yes, what’s the point of applying the conclusion that, at this point of our a hypoallergenic lipstick and sweat- lives, plain simplicity of Muslim women proof foundation when half of my face in Burqa, what Boris Johnson called was going to be concealed behind an derisively “letterboxes”, may be safest obligatory COVID-19 mask. I ended for me in terms of public costume and up not wearing lipstick or jewelry to appearance.

34 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020

Talking about appropriate attire industry, with $2.5 trillion in global during this period, have we annual revenues, has been hit hard also paused to ponder how the rather badly, with online sales clothing industry is faring when alone dropping by 30-40%. On the the best advice for the season is opportunity side, some industry “stay at home” and socialize as observers also believe that, this is little as possible? Well, industry the time to overhaul an industry this virus is rearranging our lives researchers also reveal that, that is often accused of being and choices and which aspects of there has been, predictably, a big wasteful and environmentally- our “new normal” are here to stay? fall in demand for new clothing unfriendly, accounting, by some Are handshakes going to become a during the COVID-19 pandemic. estimates, for 10% of all carbon thing of the past? Is hand washing However, according to Research emissions. going to stay as a ritual for all who and Markets, the world’s largest enter certain public places? What market research, while demand for COVID-19’s impact on the of the hand sanitizer? Are we new clothing has fallen, demand for fashion industry also translates going to return to our culture of “personal protective equipment”, into affected lives and livelihoods. grand funerals and weddings and including new face wear, is at Bloomberg reports that some other socials, or are they going an all-time high. Some apparel 1,089 garment factories in to become more intimate, private manufacturers have adapted Bangladesh alone have had orders affairs? Home schooling? Are accordingly, but with the massive cancelled worth $1.5 billion as a more and more parents going to disruption in global supply chains, result of the virus, leading to large warm up to the idea? And is the local small-scale clothing designers numbers of already low-wage pandemic going to make “bush and creatives have been some of garment workers losing their jobs, meat” less of a delicacy for those the biggest beneficiaries. most of them with little or no whose habits and tastes sustains severance pay. the business? Are we going to do As the Great Depression brought anything at all as a country about with it the ethic and motto—of the proliferation of slums and other “Reuse and Rehash” in order to forms of informal housing? curb waste, COVID-19, too, has consumers focusing on what’s As we contemplate the geo- practical and functional, as political and other “big” implications opposed to the purely aesthetic. of COVID-19 on international With job losses and financial relations, we who are in the foreign insecurity facing many individuals service establishment must not and households, practical and dismiss discussion of the virus’ cost-effective trends have impact on the mundane aspects become the “new normal”, with of everyday life like lifestyle and the biggest trend in fashion being fashion. After all, these everyday the face mask. Designers are, in Just as its immediate impact on my “micro” level issues are the very fact, outcompeting each other to personal grooming got me thinking issues that often translate into and come out with the most fanciful more broadly and globally about the directly affect the big issues of and interesting designs and colours cosmetics and fashion industries, politics, security, and economics. of the poor mask. so has COVID-19’s effect on my other personal everyday Indeed, taking the fashion industry activities and roles as a parent, as a whole, the novel coronavirus as a consumer, as a career foreign has been quite devastating. service officer, et cetera, caused According to Forbes, the fashion me to think of all the many ways

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 35 PEACE, SECURITY AND CONSULAR MATTERS THE NEW NORMAL OF CONSULAR DIPLOMACY

One of my gratifying pursuits on a or expected. The term was used in weekday morning is intellectually business and economics to describe the sparring with my carpooling partner, financial conditions in the aftermath of a financial analyst, who has the the financial crisis. It has since surfaced penchant for grounding every-and- in a variety of other contexts to imply anything in economics no matter how that something which was previously disparate. Somehow and true to form, abnormal has become commonplace. all his COVID-19 arguments found In the view of my sparring mate, the expression in weakening, disintegrating concept of the new normal under financial systems spiraling into a global COVID-19 is underpinned by the economic recession. Unlike many of us political recognition and push for social who are worried about the loss of lives, and economic priorities over health his fret is in the loss of jobs and erosion issues. The new normal is the bridge to By of economic gains that could unleash prop up these interests within public AUDREY NAANA an incalculable loss on the world’s health concerns and all professions ABAYENA population in a long run. In sync with must find their space in this reality. I LLB., MA, LLM the economic apologists, countries could not agree the more with him this Director around the world are beginning to ease time around as I began to examine the Legal & Consular Bureau their COVID-19 restrictions, allowing daunting consular matters on my desk businesses, shops, restaurants and within the context of the new normal. even churches and schools to open for business. Governments have woken The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and up to the idea of guarding against the Regional Integration, through its loss of their hard-earned economic Missions abroad, executes one key gains amidst fears the pandemic may mandate of the people-centred foreign linger on. However, the protocols policy objectives of the government. surrounding the new business Expressed in its simplest form, it is to operations are different from what we promote and protect the welfare of knew prior to COVID-19. You would Ghanaians abroad. In diplomacy, it is have to contend with social distancing, codified in the Vienna Convention on enhanced hygienic practices, wearing Consular Relations of 1963, which of masks, etc.- It feels like our reality sets forth a number of activities has changed and perhaps for good. Is undertaken by a High Commission/ this the new normal? Embassy or a Consulate for the benefit of a national of a country. Consular The term ‘New Normal’ refers to a function is the assistance provided by formerly unfamiliar or atypical situation consular officials to citizens of their that has become standard, usual, country who are traveling, living or

36 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 working abroad. Broadly, hears of service providers the functions range from when they discharge their the provision of travel duties flawlessly and this advice and advisories to is not peculiar to consular enable citizens make safe services, it is simply human and responsible travel nature. Some Missions decisions to providing direct have communicated their service to citizens abroad inability to discharge their who require replacement of duties in the usual routine passport, assistance with the and circulated other forms repatriation of the remains of contact including hotlines of loved ones overseas, and emails for nationals evacuation during a crisis requiring assistance. Many event, etc. The Convention joined in this action by closing of the requests that have informs consular affairs practices its borders, leading to stranded come in so far have been those of and establishes the framework Ghanaian nationals who had nationals stranded and requiring for cooperation between states travelled out of the jurisdiction assistance to return home. in consular matters. Since it came before the restrictions were into force in 1963, providers of imposed. As experts revealed The Ministry’s response has consular services have had to that the virus was spreading been that of crisis management adapt and innovate, developing by person-to-person contact, under pressure. Like many other new business lines, practices and governments applied other agencies, local and global, this responses to meet contemporary measures including ban on social COVID thing was unforeseen and challenges, some of which were gatherings, public engagements our institutional preparedness inconceivable in the 1960s. and lockdowns. Ghana Missions has shown to be not too efficient abroad suspended their services in and telling on the circumstances The onset of the 21st Century line with jurisdictional government of the people who depend on our witnessed a changing form of directives causing disruptions services. But when there is a raging some of the consular issues and in services such as issuance of fire in the house, all efforts are a number of reasons account for visas and passports and even directed at salvaging whatever can that. Although the Convention lists responding to the critical needs of be salvaged – the time for analysis the functions states can exercise our compatriots like prison visits, and graphs depicting what caused in another state’s territory, it does death of a national, health or any the fire would be reserved for not make express provisions on such assistance that required another day. the protection of nationals in times movement from one place to the of crisis. Bear in mind that crises other. So the Ministry, together with are prone to the imposition of ad other state agencies, took the hoc measures by state authorities Ghana Missions have used different painstaking effort to bring about which may hinder the full exercise approaches to announce the varied some relief to stranded nationals of civil liberties. emergency protocols introduced to including evacuations and granting ensure they continue to respond to of special landing passes for Earlier this year, in response to the the needs of their constituencies in charter flights. As easy as this may raging infection of the coronavirus somewhat minimal forms, knowing sound, the average person cannot pandemic, many countries across that for the most part, it is only easily comprehend how complex the world instituted travel when there is some difficulty or and arduous it is to organise restrictions mainly aimed at dissatisfaction with the service and execute an evacuation plan limiting travel from the identified rendered that public attention for stranded nationals from one hotspots to their territories. Ghana and outcry is drawn. Nobody territory to another. More so

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 37 OCTOBER 2020 when it is done under global making it an important part of be self-reliant and empowered to emergency situations where the risk management strategy. lessen their vulnerable status. This territorial borders are closed and The BCP must be a concept which can be done through publications, transport systems are shut down. permeates the whole structure of educating and imparting travel The gathering and categorization service delivery in every aspect of knowledge and taking adequate of data on the people requiring the our lives and define the way we precautions prior to travel. intervention is enough nightmare conduct our business in the new for the staff deployed on the normal. Also, the implementation of schedule, most of whom would any successful BCP must be spend sleepless nights pondering It is in this context that this article anchored in the maintenance over what information to send seeks to draw lessons from other of a robust updated database out, the form of communication countries for Ghana, particularly infrastructure which supports channels to achieve a wider reach, the Ministry, to enhance its real time decision making. With internal controls governing data consular crisis preparedness and increasing use of internet tools verification and so on. And you management structure to respond and other communication and surely would get a ‘special call’ once effectively to the current pandemic social media resources, there is a in a while from a ‘special’ member and for future ones as it is generally good opportunity to implement of the society at the odd hours of known that the world will witness this now. Some of the areas to the day to tell you about his/her similar incidents or other forms of prioritize may include: lone relative stranded on a remote crisis such as conflicts and natural • Gathering information on island and how it is very important disasters from time to time. This is nationals abroad in crisis- that this relative is brought home essential, given that we generally prone or crisis-affected areas on the first flight. have a limited consular coverage or countries (e.g. number and actions such as physical of individuals, their family As stated earlier, the evacuation distancing, travel bans and border composition, legal status, exercise is only a stopgap measure closures pose grievous challenges living and health conditions, to contain the current crisis in responding to the limited needs any specific needs); in consular service provision. of our compatriots, some of which • Understanding the context in However, it brought to the fore are dire. It is hoped that the which our compatriots live, the ever important need to keep conversation on designing round- work and travel (i.e. their a register of all Ghanaians resident the-clock consular service policies exact location, the hazards abroad, effective, real–time and procedures in a manner that they face, the resources they transmission of information, and address business continuity in the can count on or lack thereof inter-ministerial collaboration midst of crisis will commence in – including operating roads among others. Many other aspects earnest. This would take a complete and transportation networks, of the service have grounded to a overhaul of our current state of availability of services and complete halt. For that matter, and affairs including placing some civic assistance, transportation if for nothing at all, this pandemic responsibilities on our nationals options); and must kindle our collective who travel and live abroad. • Increasing their awareness of desire to start looking into how local hazards, risks, resources, to operationalize a Business As a first step and considering as well as their rights and Continuity Plan (BCP) in times of that the Ministry and its Missions entitlements in normal times crisis. BCP is the process involved abroad may not always be in a and in crisis situations. in creating a system of prevention position to provide immediate and recovery from potential assistance depending on the By the above, some of the critical threats to an entity. It involves circumstances, particularly in the consular functions such as providing defining any and all risks that can event of a crisis, there is a need to information and advice on potential affect the entity’s operations, promote and sensitize Ghanaians to risks, issuing documentation

38 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 including passports, visas, laissez- Mechanism or a similar body with other Ministries, Departments passers and letters of facilitation such objective as the EU Civil and Agencies (MDAs) to receive and providing direct assistance Protection Mechanism (UCPM). distress calls and to provide direct to those who find themselves in For instance, France, a member assistance is quite remarkable. distress situations would not suffer of the European Union (EU) with The work of this Centre can be in crisis situation. the widest diplomatic coverage enhanced with the use of social activated the UCPM to repatriate media tools /internet and online Furthermore, efficient dissemi- citizens from Wuhan, China. This portals to migrate some consular nation of information to nationals mechanism is designed to get EU services online in order to bring is crucial under the new normal. countries to pool their resources person-to-person interaction to a Conveying information on and different specialisms in a minimum. protocols instituted by host civil emergency and to date over governments, relevant local actors 600, 000 EU citizens have been Over the past few months, I have and institutions that would be returned to their home countries. actively played the role of a liaison of assistance and vice versa is Many other assistance requests for evacuations, working closely necessary especially to support in have followed. Since its creation with border agents, National assisted departures, evacuations in 2001, the UCPM steps in to Security, airline companies and and emergency repatriations to support practical coordination airport ground staff, the experience Ghana. of special transport assets and giving me a rich insight into issues co-finance repatriations when never seen in my over a decade These cannot be achieved without commercial or national options are career path in diplomacy and in the our compatriots doing business exhausted. process, I have learnt a lot about with our Missions abroad. Some the airline business and how crucial of our nationals do not contact Considering the increasing number forging inter-agency partnerships their national representatives in of citizens moving around the can translate into efficient delivery their countries of residence until globe, we may need to enhance our of consular services. they get into serious situations partnerships with international that require urgent assistance. In organisations, Non-Governmental I will end with my thought on how this way, the consular intervention Organisations (NGOs), and Civil I see the new face of consular is delayed because officers have Society Organizations (CSOs) that diplomacy in the coming years. to go through the process of could be key service providers Surely we must now regard identification and verification of in crisis contexts, often acting the execution of the consular their Ghanaian nationality, and as a bridge between migrant mandate in contemporary times understanding the circumstances communities and state actors. as one that requires a coordinated surrounding the requests among During the 2006 war in Lebanon, and collaborative approach, others before assistance can be for instance, CSOs supported working with friendly countries, administered. This administrative migrant domestic workers, forming organisations and other entities to bureaucracy can be avoided when a consortium to work with the provide round-the-clock consular they keep the Missions updated Lebanese Government to address services to citizens reasonably at all of their circumstances from when the needs of this group. Forging times. This also requires the active they first arrive in a foreign country public/private partnerships with participation of our people in doing by registering with them and corporate organisations can be business with service providers and keeping their information updated another collaborative example we holding them accountable with the at all times. can look into. objective of improving the system to deliver one of the best consular Perhaps Ghana may lead the Finally, the establishment of a services in the world. We do not conversation on establishing an Consular Emergency Centre at have to rest until this objective is AU or ECOWAS Civil Protection the Ministry in collaboration with fully achieved.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 39 OCTOBER 2020 HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION UNDER THE ECOWAS MECHANISM FOR CONFLICT PREVENTION, MANAGEMENT, RESOLUTION, PEACE-KEEPING AND SECURITY: ASPECTS OF NORMATIVE INCOMPATIBILITY WITH THE UN CHARTER

Introduction of internal conflict; (i) that threatens Generally, under the United Nations to trigger a humanitarian disaster; (UN) Charter, enforcement actions by or (ii) that poses a serious threat regional organisations not in collective to peace and security in the sub- self-defence ought to be authorised by region; (d) in the event of serious and the UN Security Council (UNSC), and massive violation of human rights and any provision in a regional agreement the rule of law. (e) in the event of an that permits the organisation to take overthrow or attempted overthrow of enforcement action against a Member a democratically-elected government; State without UNSC’s authorisation and (f) Any other situation as may be is inconsistent with Article 53 of the decided by the Mediation and Security Charter. Against this background, Council (MSC). it has been argued that unilateral By humanitarian intervention enshrined in By the same token, Article 10 of the SENALOR K. YAWLUI the ECOWAS’ Mechanism for Conflict MCPMRPS vests the MSC with the FSO A1 Prevention, Management, Resolution, powers to: (a) decide on all matters Deputy Head of Mission Peace-keeping and Security relating to peace and security; (b) Embassy of Ghana, Dakar (MCPMRPS) is incompatible with the decide and implement all policies for Charter of the UN and thus invalid. conflict prevention, management This article takes a brief look at the and resolution, peace-keeping and foregoing assertion of incompatibility. security; (c) authorise all forms of intervention and decide particularly on Implementing The MCPMRPS Under the deployment of political and military The Revised Treaty of ECOWAS missions; (d) approve mandates and In order to implement Article 58 of terms of reference for such missions; the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS, Article (e) review the mandates and terms of 25 of the MCPMRPS provides that reference periodically, on the basis of the Protocol is to be invoked under evolving situations. the following circumstances: (a) in cases of aggression or conflict in any Essentially, sub-regional mechanisms Member State or threat thereof; (b) such as those of ECOWAS are in case of conflict between two or considered as ‘part of the overall several Member States; (c) in cases peace and security architecture of

40 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 the African Union, which has Council under the provisions of against any state without UN the primary responsibility for Chapter VII of the Charter, and the Security Council’s authorisation promoting peace, security and inherent right of states to individual except in collective self-defence. stability in Africa’. Moreover, the and collective self-defence under The same rule also applies where a relationship between sub-regional Article 51 of the Charter. However, treaty gives a regional organisation groups such as ECOWAS and the any measure taken by a state or a a “right” of unilateral intervention AU underlined in the AU Peace and group of states in self-defence is in a state without requiring the Security Council (AUPSC) Protocol to be reported to the UN Security ‘contemporaneous consent’ of the reflects a new collective security Council. It is widely accepted that target state. Such treaty is void for arrangement under the AU regime the Art. 2(4) provision constitutes violating Articles 2(4) and 103 of which is tightly knit and cohesive a jus cogens under international the Charter. Thus the codification at all levels. law from which no derogation is of the right of humanitarian permissible. Consequently, Article intervention by ECOWAS and the Similarly, guided by the lessons 25 of the MCPMRPS providing for AU introduces a new dimension to of the catastrophic lapses of the the right of the ECOWAS to use the debate of the use of force since erstwhile OAU on its policy of force within Member States and it seeks to protect individuals from non-interference in the domestic article 4(h) of the AU’s Constitutive atrocities of a grave kind which affairs of Member States of Act which allows similar act of are usually the result of conflicts. the Organisation, resulting in intervention in Member States of Irrespective of the purpose of the preventable mass-slaughters the Union on grounds not provided use of force, even to halt mass in several theatres of conflicts for in the Charter of the UN violate atrocities in the territory of a state on the Continent, the Protocol Article 2(4) of the Charter on the by a third state or a group of states, of the AUPSC provides that in unilateral use of force. Particularly, some international law scholars discharging its duties, the AUPSC whenever such forcible actions still insist on the permanency of shall, inter alia, be guided by ‘the are authorised under regional the UN Charter.(R.B. Heidelberg, right of the Union to intervene arrangements without the 2002). in a Member State pursuant to authorisation of the Security a decision of the Assembly in Council, they are often regarded as However, an opposing argument respect of grave circumstances, unilateral and thus unlawful under which seeks to justify the namely, war crimes, genocide international law. normative evolution of a right of and crimes against humanity in regional bodies to intervene in accordance with Article 4(h) of the Furthermore, the above regional Member States has emanated. It Constitutive Act of the AU(2000). provisions appears to have codified proceeds on the premise that given However, these provisions have new grounds for exceptions to the the changes that have taken place serious implications for the UN rule on the use of force besides since the end of the Cold War, Charter system and state practice those of self-defence and Chapter the efficacy of the UN Charter in in international law. VII enforcement actions under particular and international law the Charter and thus pose a in general can only be achieved if Normative Incompatibility With ‘fundamental challenge’ to the UN they are ‘interpreted and applied The UN Charter system as they seek to supervene in a manner commensurate with The first area of normative upon the provisions in Article 2(4) the requirements of an evolving incompatibility with the UN Charter and Chapter VII of the Charter (J. international community’(D.E. is the right of the unilateral use of Allain, 2004). Acevedo, 1984). It is argued that force. Article 2(4) of the Charter the trends in the development of clearly prohibits the use of force As indicated supra, a regional international law norms in relation in inter-state relations except for organisation would be violating to the international protection enforcement action by the Security international law if it uses force of human rights, including the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 41 OCTOBER 2020

the maintenance of peace and security in Africa..

The AU on its part recognises its The second aspect of normative status as a Chapter VIII regional incompatibility between the organisation under the Charter ECOWAS security regime and the in relation to the maintenance UN Charter system rests on the of peace and security. But that primacy of the UN Security Council is where the conformity with as the watchdog of international the Charter stops. Even though evolution of the Responsibility peace and security. Article 10(a) Article 17(1) of the AUPSC to Protect (R2P) norm, support of the MCPMRPS which gives Protocol recognises the primary the view that the use of force by authoritative agency to the MSC responsibility of the UNSC in the external actors to prevent or halt and Article 16(1) of the AUPSC maintenance of peace and security, massive human rights violations which vests sole authority in the Article 16(1) of that Protocol does not fall under Article 2(4) AU on the preservation of peace curiously accords the same role to (F.R. Teson, 2007). Perhaps, the and security in Africa clearly the AUPSC. On this point, Kwesi drafters of the Charter could not clash with Article 24(1) of the Aning argues that “the AU has have anticipated the degeneration UN Charter which confers the alluded to the primacy of the UN in of global security in the aftermath primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace of the Cold War, which was in itself maintenance of international peace and security, but reserves the right devastating to humanity. As D. and security on the UN Security of unilateral action in Africa which Kuwali pointed out in his seminal Council, pursuant to the specific only ‘reverts to the UN where article, the much more realistic powers granted to the Council for necessary” (see Kwesi Aning on option would be that the principle the discharge of these duties, as UN and AU’s Security Architecture, of non-use of force should be contained in Chapters VI, VII, VIII, 2008, p17)’. juxtaposed with the community and XII of the Charter. In effect, needs for collective intervention the MCPMRPS and the AUPSC For its part, the ECOWAS’ deployed in defence of human protocols seek to dislodge the MCPRMPS is mute on this matter. rights to halt mass atrocities (D. UNSC as the authoritative agency The Protocol is unclear about Kuwali, 2012). having primary responsibility for its relationship with the United

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Nations in this respect, so reaching to dismiss the practical salience interventions as the case with a conclusion in this regard may be of these provisions ignores the the Council’s retroactive seal of inaccurate. The Mechanism clearly circumstances and context in approval of ECOWAS’ interventions fails to recognise or adhere to the which they have been adopted. in the Liberian and Sierra Leonean underlying principles of Article 53 As one scholar aptly puts it: “it Civil Wars. of the UN Charter on enforcement is the peripheral role of Africa in action. However, by virtue of the the international system and the powers conferred on the MSC reluctance to commit troops and Conclusion in Article 10 of the Protocol, to resources to Africa that is leading In brief, however normatively perform the role reserved for African leaders down the path of illegitimate the ECOWAS and AU the UNSC under the Charter, it unilateral action, without concern mechanisms might appear under is plausible to surmise that the for international endorsement”(Iyi international law, its importance MCPMRPS has the same effect 2013). to maintaining human security in as the continental framework. a continually volatile continent is It may be recalled that ECOWAS That said, under normal clear for even the worst sceptic had launched humanitarian circumstances, the AU and regional to see. Globally, there has been interventions in the past without organisations are prepared to a movement towards regional the backing of any legal instrument obtain UN Security Council’s security arrangements, with in its peace and security or human authorisation for the use of force regional organisations expected rights corpus, necessitating the where possible, but in the event to play a more active role in the adoption of a robust, tightly- of practical impossibility, they maintenance of peace and security knitted security framework. are able to act without it (Aning, within their regions. Such is the 2008). It should however be case with the African context, with Considering the UN Security underscored that although the a shift towards regional security Council’s failure and slowness to vesting of authority to intervene alignments within the framework respond to devastating conflicts in in the UN Security Council has of a comprehensive peace and Africa, notably the 1994 Rwandan created problems in the past, that security architecture on the genocide, it is understandable if is not sufficient justification for the continent as the Regional Economic ECOWAS and the AU insist on a ECOWAS/AU right of intervention Communities (RECS) in Africa right to intervention in African without UNSC approval or to are increasingly willing to replace States without the Council’s suggest that such authorisation “hard/absolute sovereignty” in authorisation in exceptional cases. could be obtained after the fact. terms of which interference in Thus regional security mechanisms Commenting on the relevance other Member States’ affairs is suitable to the African continent are of prior Security Council’s expressly forbidden, with regimes a necessity. In effect, the AU Act authorisation, the International that allow for foreign interventions and AUPSC Protocol both reveal Court of Justice (ICJ) held in 1991 under defined circumstances. the determination of African states that “such consistency ensures to take control of the use of force the effectiveness of international and humanitarian intervention in legal order by providing stability to Africa in finding African solutions the inherently fragile international for African problems and in order system”. The UN Charter is however not to allow history to repeat itself. silent on whether authorisation For that same reason, notwith- should be prior or post. It has been standing the numerous criticisms argued that to circumvent UNSC which the legal inconsistencies delays and politics of veto, ex post of both frameworks (regional facto ratification by the UNSC and the UN) have generated, can legalize regional humanitarian

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 43 MFARI ACTIVITIES THE RETURN OF THE “DEMOCRACY OR DEVELOPMENT” DEBATE: A PERSPECTIVE LECTURE DELIVERED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019, AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION, ACCRA.

When I received the invitation not both; that, the choice of one to deliver a lecture before precludes the other. this audience and was asked to propose a suitable topic, I It should be immediately clear from thought it would be most fitting, the name of my organization, Center given my current position as for Democratic Development, that Executive Director of the Center I do not subscribe to the notion for Democratic Development that democracy and development (CDD) and the fact that this are binary or oppositional would be my first appearance propositions, or that one must before this audience, that I select make a choice between democracy a topic that would afford me the and development. To the contrary, opportunity to explain or justify “democratic development” means By why the organization I lead calls that, in my view, development PROF. H. KWASI PREMPEH itself the Center for Democratic can be democratic and, further, Executive Director Development and, for that that democracy can produce Ghana Center for Democratic matter, why we believe in what development. While “democratic Development(CDD-Ghana) we do at CDD. The “democracy or development” also admits, development” debate suggested itself quite readily as the most appropriate topic, both because it is a familiar one--and seemingly never out of date--and because it implicitly questions or challenges the idea of “democratic development”--the very thing we are committed to at CDD-- and, therefore, makes for a good conversation or debate.

“Democracy or development” implies, of course, that there is an inherent tension between the two; that, one can have democracy or development, but presumably

44 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 implicitly, that development DRC--gained independence from what African states needed was can occur without democracy, Belgium in 1960, it had only 16 not brakes but accelerators. Africa’s coupling the two, as we have done, postsecondary school graduates- founding leaders thus jettisoned does indicate a clear preference -this, for a country slightly less democracy in favour of single- for pursuing development through than a quarter of the size of the party rule under the leadership democratic means. This, then, United States, with a population at of a unitary president whose is the perspective I will seek to the time of 13 million. The priority supremacy was uncontested. defend in my remarks. of “accelerated development” was therefore largely uncontested. In choosing authoritarianism over As the title of this lecture indicates, In fact, the UN declared the democracy, Africa’s founding the “democracy or development” 1960s, the first decade of African leaders essentially made a bargain debate is not new. Its origins independence, the First UN with their people: give up your so- in Africa date back to the early Development Decade. called democratic freedoms and, in years after independence. Credit return, we shall deliver you from for initiating this debate and for Where there was debate or a poverty, disease, and ignorance, framing it this way goes to the first difference of opinion, including and take you to the promised land generation of African leaders; the within the nationalist class, was of development. founding fathers, so to speak, who over the choice of means or form ushered us into independence. of government to adopt. On this, The authoritarian model held sway the view and ideological preference in independent Africa, in one form Having succeeded to the “political of the triumphant faction of or another, for another three kingdom” and taken stock of the the nationalist class prevailed. decades, until it was disrupted by inheritance from colonialism, Democracy, with its insistence on the wave of democratization that Africa’s founding leaders were freedom of speech, free media, and toppled nondemocratic regime quick to define their immediate freedom of political association, after regime, including founding and urgent task as the speedy including the right to form and leaders like Kaunda and Kamuzu liberation of their long-suffering belong to different political parties Banda and old time strongmen like peoples from the scourge of and to contest for power against Kerekou and Mobutu, in the early “poverty, ignorance, hunger, and rival parties, was considered a 1990s. The fall of these regimes disease”. The obviousness and Western “luxury” that poor, pre- was a manifestation of the failure of scale of the deficit in human, social industrial Africa and its “nations African authoritarianism to deliver and economic development at the in a hurry” could ill afford. Africa’s its end of the “development” time independence was considered underdevelopment challenge was bargain that had been its original so self-evident that the priority deemed an emergency that needed source of legitimacy. of “accelerated development”, as to be confronted and fought like a it was called, was said to require war. In fact, the metaphor of war As the 1980s drew to a close, no debate. (To illustrate the scale was frequently invoked--a war on African states had little in the of the problem: In the area of poverty; war on ignorance, war way of developmental progress education, for example, as the on disease. And as wars require to show for three decades colonial project drew to a close and all hands on deck, democracy, of authoritarianism: little to independence neared, the colonies especially the idea of an opposition no growth in GDP per capita in the entire sub-Saharan Africa party, was said to be inherently (compared to their Asian peers); region, with a combined population divisive and wasteful in both decline in agricultural productivity; of roughly 200 million people, time and scarce human resources bankruptcy of SOEs; breakdown in could boast only some 8,000 and, therefore, not compatible public services and infrastructure; secondary school graduates. with the uncontested objective severe balance of payment deficits; Ghana was far better than most of accelerated development. worsening inequality; widespread in this regard. When Congo--now Democracy was seen as a brake; absolute poverty; and a brain

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 45 OCTOBER 2020

drain of professionals. The dismal economic growth rates and are some influential comparative economic record was compounded outperforming their democratic studies of developmental states, by equally bad outcomes on the counterparts on the continent, both authoritarian and democratic, social and political side of the is largely responsible for causing have found no conclusive evidence balance sheet: more, not less, some contemporary Africans to suggest that regime type per se, social division; political instability, to rethink and resurrect the old or the choice of political system, including a harvest of coups democracy vs development. impacts economic outcomes in d’etat; in some cases, civil wars; some systematic way. As Kohl and general institutional decay. Let us then revisit the debate on its notes, “there is considerable Feeling betrayed and disillusioned, merits. variation within both categories Africans demanded a voice and a and it is these variations that can vote, in effect, a repudiation of the First, the binary framing of be economically consequential.” authoritarian bargain in favour of the issue--democracy or What this means is that, when democracy. development--is inherently rigged we examine and compare political against democracy. Democracy systems, both democratic and The 1990s democratic transitions is a form of political ordering; authoritarian, we see that they do have themselves entered their a way of organizing power and not all behave the same way; and third decade, and it appears that, politics in a polity. Development it is the differences among and having experienced life under is an outcome; it is a desirable between them, rather than the democracy, a new generation of end product. So when we say fact that they are a democratic Africans would like to revive and re- democracy or development; we or authoritarian that best explains litigate the so-called “democracy are comparing means with ends; their economic or developmental vs development” debate. It is not not means with means or ends performance. clear that this represents a majority with ends. And by posing the issue opinion. Our Afrobarometer as democracy or development, Let’s take, say, China, a single- surveys show consistently strong we are basically setting up a false party regime that has become a support and a preference among dichotomy that is designed to poster child for the “democracy or ordinary Africans for democracy make democracy fail the test at the development” debate on account over all of its authoritarian very outset. What we really mean of its impressive economic and alternatives. If anything, Africans to say, when we ask “democracy development over the course of say they are getting less or development” is “democracy the last 40 years. Does China’s “democracy” than they would or dictatorship/authoritarianism”. economic miracle vindicate the like. In other words, the supply of That is a fairer framing because position that dictatorships are democracy, including democracy’s it compares two alternative better at development than expected dividends, lags behind ways of organizing power and democracies? Not necessarily. Let and falls short of its demand. politics. And it is fair to ask then us not forget that China was a But what appears to be fuelling which of the two, democracy or much more repressive dictatorship the revival of the “democracy authoritarianism, is best suited to under Chairman Mao. And during or development” debate is the deliver development? that period its economic and apparent emergence over the development record was abysmal. course of the last two decades of That, of course, is an empirical The turning point in the China story African “developmental” regimes question; one that cannot be came with the change in course that are ideologically sceptical of, if answered in the abstract or as a after Mao by Deng Tsao Peng. And not hostile to, democracy and have matter of theory. It can only be that change included economic showed positive development answered on the basis of evidence. reforms that made China more strides under authoritarianism. Economists and economic historians open to the world and international The fact that Kagame’s Rwanda who have examined the evidence, business but also relaxed internal and Ethiopia, have recorded high including Atul Kohl, who has done restrictions on private property

46 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 ownership and private enterprise Rwanda the popular theory, again, education activities, lectures by Chinese people. It is these is that it’s because Rwanda is not a by health officials, spot checks reforms that began the economic democracy. But how could that be? by government inspectors, and transformation of China, not What is it about democracy per se numerous tree planting initiatives. the fact that it’s a one-party that says you can’t have it and There were also competitions state. After all, it was always have clean cities? Does democracy which highlighted both the the same one party state under include or imply the right to litter cleanest and the dirtiest offices, Mao, yet produced no economic or a right to open defecation. shops, factories, government miracle until Deng injected Of course not. To the contrary, buildings, schools, etc. In short, more economic freedom into democracy embraces as an integral Singapore invested, and continues the system. Indeed, the Chinese part of its working the rule of law. to invest, in changing social experience provides empirical Every democratic constitution norms and habits around personal support for this observation by recognises both rights and such hygiene and public cleanliness, Indian Nobel laureate in economics limitations and restrictions to and respect for the environment. Amartya Sen, in his influential book those rights as are necessarily to With our Metropolitan, Municipal “Development as Freedom”: “There realise super ordinate public or and District Assemblies (MMDAs), is little evidence that authoritarian collective goals. Thus, democracy local by-laws, police, (National politics actually supports economic cannot be the reason why Accra’s Commission for Civic Education growth. Indeed, the empirical sanitation is as it is. Neither is (NCCE), and even a Sanitation evidence very strongly suggests Kigali what it is because Rwanda Ministry, why, if we mean to that economic growth is more a isn’t a democracy in the fashion make our cities green and clean, matter of a friendlier economic of Ghana. For answers to why can we not do the same? If our climate than of a harsher political Kigali is clean and green we must towns and cities are not clean or system.” examine how the city organizes green, it surely cannot be because its sanitation function, how it we are nominally democratic. We In relation to Rwanda, for example, deploys its sanitation resources, simply haven’t made the kinds of what this means is that, in trying including police and municipal by- committed investments, including to explain its relatively impressive law enforcers, the city’s zoning in civic education, social norming, developmental strides in the and land use planning, and the and law enforcement, that the course of the last two decades or investment that has been made Rwandas and Singapores have so, we must look at the content to date in transforming norms and been willing to make and sustain. of its policies and other things like public habits around sanitation and Democracy does not mean we can the efficiency and effectiveness hygiene, and the overall climate of reap where we have not sown. of its civil service and technocrats, law abidingness in the society. rather than draw a wholesale One other aspect of the conclusion that it is doing better The same applies to Singapore. The “democracy or development” economically or developmentally city-state’s squeaky clean image-- debate that inherently undervalues because it is authoritarian. After all, and reality--is often attributed to democracy is in the very limited its neighbours, including Uganda, Lee Kuan Yew’s “authoritarianism”. or narrow sense in which we have belong in roughly the same But we forget, or perhaps do generally defined development- authoritarian category yet have not quite know about, the sheer -which is almost entirely in no comparable developmental amount of persistent effort and material, economic terms. But transformation to show for it. investment that has gone into development must mean more making Singapore look the way it than brick and mortar and, indeed, This argument applies with equal does since the country introduced more than material wellbeing. We force to the popular debate about its Clean and Green Policy as far must reckon in the definition and why Kigali and Rwanda’s towns back as the late 1960s. In addition understanding of development all are so clean and green. Outside of to adverts, there were public of the conditions and opportunities

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 47 OCTOBER 2020 for human flourishing, including the difference might be between with Ghanaian characteristics”. the intellectual, political, spiritual, the size of the economy of Ghana And often democracy takes the civic development of society and with all of the free media outlets blame for things that should more individuals. The human being, we now have and the size of the appropriately and fairly be blamed homo sapiens, that is, is, after all, economy if we still had only the on the gloss that our own Ghanaian not a homo economicus whose state-controlled GBC TV and radio character and characteristics have value or essence is to be reckoned controlling the airwaves? We take put on the idea of democracy. only in economic or material terms. these things for granted. Yet it is Man must not--and does not-- obvious that having the kind of I would like to conclude by live by bread alone. Once we think free and expansive media we have addressing the question of of development in its rightfully in the 4th Republic, in contrast to citizenship and its relationship broad sense, it becomes clear that the state monopoly we had before to democracy. Often when a democracy, insofar as it embraces 1993, has contributed significantly democratic system is not working and respects a larger conception and in diverse ways to the growth for the people, we again blame of human wellbeing, has inherent of our GDP, including in the the failure on democracy. Yet superiority over dictatorship--in a innumerable jobs and careers and the burden and responsibility of developmental sense. artistic talent created in the media ensuring that democracy or a sector and by extension in the democratic government works for Furthermore, while democracy, like entertainment and arts industry. the people rests with the people dictatorship or authoritarianism, is One common mistake we often themselves or the governed; not not an economic institution, there make, and which is the source with the governors or the political are certain built-in aspects of of a great deal of the everyday class and leadership. This is almost democracy that have been shown frustration and disenchantment a definitional distinction between to have important economic with democracy, is our failure democracy and dictatorship. impact. Notably, the work of to separate democracy from Democracy depends on civic Amartya Sen has demonstrated practices in a particular democratic minded and engaged citizens to that, in the history of the world, system that are, in fact, not an sustain it. It does not work well— no famine has occurred in any inherent part of democracy or and certainly not well for the sovereign democracy with a democratic practice but are instead people-- when citizens decide relatively free press. Famines have a perversion or abuse of it. In the to be spectators, to free ride, been associated with regimes Ghanaian context, examples would leaving it to their governors, the where the absence of institutions be practices like vote buying, politicians, to do what’s best for such as a free press, an opposition political vigilantism, and corruption. the people. Democracy is not a party, and elections, enabled While these practices diminish the spectator sport; it requires the a series of faulty government quality and distort the outcomes active and vigilant participation of policies to persist uncriticised of democracy, they are not citizens. And not just on election and uncorrected until they led to definitional to or part and parcel of day, but especially in the period in famine with tragic consequences. democracy and, therefore, should between elections. This was the case of the largest not be blamed on democracy. recorded famine in human history, Because democracy must operate, Thus, when we are dissatisfied which occurred in China in 1958- of necessity, within a specific with the outcomes in a democratic 61 and claimed 30 million lives. national and cultural context, it system and we express a wish for often becomes associated and a “benevolent dictator”, as many Not only does a free press help to conflated with certain perverse do, what we are doing, in effect, avert or contain looming disasters, local characteristics. As I have is admitting failure on our part there is also a positive economic stated elsewhere, what we see and shirking our responsibility to outcome associated with a free and practice as democracy in do our duty as citizens to make media. Has anyone imagined what Ghana is necessarily “democracy democracy work for us. The notion

48 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter with

disastrous consequences for the people.

The clamour for a benevolent dictator is, thus, simply an Of course, there are instances abdication of the responsibility where one might call a dictator of citizenship. Democracy is a benevolent. These would be those system of government in which dictators who, though authoritarian the people get what they deserve or unelected, are not particularly and deserve what they get. What repressive or murderous. But these the people demand, they tend to must be the exceptional cases, get; what they do not demand, and the product of circumstances that, we can make our lives easier they rarely get offered. That is how or chance or other idiosyncratic and better by trusting our fate to a democracy works—or does not factors that are not replicable a so-called benevolent dictator work--for the people; no demand, or exportable. There is as yet no is based on a naive or fanciful no supply. patent for making or cloning a view of power. Power, whether Lee Kuan Yew. Many dictators acquired democratically or by If, then, we are disappointed have risen to power on a promise self-imposition, is not inherently or frustrated with what we are of doing good for the people. We benevolent; if anything, power is getting from democracy, we must know far too many of that kind in inherently self-serving, first and ask ourselves what it is that we are Africa. Yet the power to do good foremost. The burden of ensuring putting into it. We cannot abdicate goes hand in hand with the power that power is turned to beneficent our role as citizens and expect to to do bad, and experience has uses, as opposed to self-service, get from democracy a government taught us that in the end dictators, lies with the people, not with the of the people by the people for the including those who ride to power holders of power. This is what people. in the name of liberation or reform, makes the notion of benevolent more often than not disappoint— dictator almost an oxymoron.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 49 OCTOBER 2020 COMMISSIONING OF ENVOYS President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo swore in two Ambassadors and a High Commissioner on Wednesday, 23rd September 2020. The three Envoys are all career diplomats. President Akufo-Addo administered the oaths of allegiance, office and secrecy and also presented the scrolls of office to the three envoys. The envoys are H.E. Damptey Bediako Asare, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), H.E. Samuel Yao President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presenting Kumah, Ambassador In situ and H.E. Dr. Joseph Nii Sai the scroll of office to H.E. Damptey Bediako Asare, Coffie-Agoe, High Commissioner to Australia. Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presenting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presenting the scroll of office to His Excellency Samuel Yao Kumah, the scroll of office to His Excellency, Dr. Joseph Nii Sai Ambassador In situ Coffie-Agoe, High Commissioner to Australia.

President Akufo-Addo (third from left), Hon. Mohammad Habibu Tijani, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (left) H.E. Damptey Bediako Asare, H.E. Dr. Joseph Nii Sai Coffie-Agoe, H.E. Samuel Yao Kumah, Hon. Charles Owiredu, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

50 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 2ND EDITION OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGN

As part of its corporate social included different categories of books; responsibility (CSR) and to dictionaries; stationery; school bags; demonstrate the determination to school uniforms; sports kits among give practical meaning to Ghana’s others. In addition to the items, the people-centered foreign policy, Ministry also donated sums of money the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to each of the selected schools to and Regional Integration held the enable them take care of their minor 2nd Edition of the Back-to-School expenditures. Campaign in Yendi, in the Northern Region of the country, on Wednesday, The five beneficiary schools were 15th January, 2020, under the theme Dagbon State Secondary Technical “Transforming Ghana: Equipping the School, Abartey Junior High School, Youth”. Roman Catholic Primary School, Yendi By Jubilee Complex and Yendi Primary RITA ENYONAM The objective of the campaign is to Block B. DAKUDZIE complement Government’s effort Senior Information Officer at ensuring that all Ghanaians of Speaking at the presentation Information and Public school-going age have access to ceremony, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Bureau quality education in every part of Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. the country. This is part of efforts to Mohammad Habibu Tijani (MP), attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four (4) on quality education, which has been mainstreamed into Government’s education policy of ensuring inclusive and quality education in Ghana. It is this determination that has led the Government of Ghana to, among other initiatives, roll out the Free Senior High School policy. The Back-to- School Campaign is therefore aimed at contributing to the attainment of this objective.

The Ministry donated educational supplies to five beneficiary schools in the Yendi Municipality. The donation OCTOBER 2020

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indicated that the Ministry shares bringing the practice of diplomacy religious leaders, teachers, parents, in the belief that the education of to the doorsteps of Ghanaians. students and other stakeholders. the youth of Ghana is critical to the transformation agenda being The overlord of Dagbon, Yaa- The Ministry collaborated with the pursued by Government, and the Naa Abukari II, in an address Diplomatic Missions, Consulates best way to empower the youth read on his behalf, underscored and International Organisations to play that role is to support the importance of education in accredited to Ghana, the private their educational development. the country’s development and sector and other stakeholders “By this initiative, the Ministry commended the Ministry for to implement the initiative. Staff is contributing to the holistic supporting government’s effort at of the Ministry both at base and development of the country’s providing quality education for the in Ghana’s diplomatic Missions human resource by leveraging the youth. He expressed his gratitude abroad also made financial and tools of the nation’s foreign policy”, to the Ministry for selecting schools material contributions towards he added. from the Yendi Municipality to also the success of the 2nd Edition of benefit from the Back-to-School the Back-to-School Campaign. It Hon. Tijani disclosed that the Campaign and urged the students afforded them the opportunity beneficiary schools were carefully to take their studies seriously. to be involved in developmental chosen to reflect the culture, efforts at the community level. history, diversity and dynamism The headmaster of the Dagbon of educational institutions in State Senior High Technical School, It may be recalled that some Yendi and the role they have Mr. Alhassan Adam Mubarak, on schools from the Greater Accra played and continue to play in behalf of the beneficiary schools Region received educational the development of the country’s thanked the Ministry for the items when the Back-to School human resource. He added that, in donation and added that it would Campaign was launched by the choosing the schools, the Ministry go a long way to enhance teaching Ministry on 5th February, 2018 sought to give attention to schools and learning in the schools. under the theme “Foreign Policy in other regions of the country Mirrors Domestic Policy”. that need equal attention, and The presentation ceremony was intends to replicate the campaign attended by local government in other communities as it is one officials, officials from the Ministry of the ways of supporting the of Foreign Affairs and Regional development of communities and Integration, traditional and

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 53 OCTOBER 2020

54 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 DONATIONS TOWARDS THE FIGHT AGAINST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC In support of the national effort against the COVID-19 pandemic, officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration made several donations.

A. Ghana Missions Abroad donated One hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$ 100,000.00) to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) for the purchase of tests kits.

Hon. Mohammad Habibu Tijani, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration(left) presenting a cheque from Ghana Missions Abroad to Prof. Abraham Kwabena Annan, Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) (second from right). Looking on are officials from the Ministry and NMIMR.

B. H.E. Edward Boateng, Ambassador to China made a personal donation of One thousand eight hundred and eighty (1,880) test kits to the NMIMR

C. Officials of the Ministry after a donation to the National COVID -19 Trust Fund.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 55 INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY THE ENDANGERED HOMO SAPIENS IN A GROWING TECH WORLD

Wikipedia defines endangered the new ways and we need to species as a species that is very develop solutions that will help likely to become extinct soon, us navigate this growing tech either worldwide or in a political world. The spotlight on the world’s jurisdiction. Endangered species technological advancements is so may be at risk due to factors such as clear that one cannot ignore. habitat loss, poaching and invasive species. In this article, we will focus The advancements are making on a species called man who lives in the impossible seem possible. a growing technological world. In telecommunications, you can speak to and see another person The Homo sapiens has progressed in another country in real time. significantly from using its own Augmented Reality (AR) adds digital By energy, those of animals and elements like cartoon characters GEORGE MILLS natural resources to mind blowing to a live view often by using the Assistant System Analyst inventions that are almost fictional. camera on a smartphone. Some ICT Unit The information age is giving rise Augmented Reality experiences to so many tools and inventions include Snapchat lenses, Jurassic like Artificial Intelligence that might World Live and the game Pokémon require little to no energy from the Go. Virtual reality (VR) implies a Homo sapiens to execute his work complete immersion experience like Google’s self-driving cars. There that shuts out the physical world is no doubt that tech is growing and like the Samsung gear VR with evolving. Will technology invade controller. Cryptocurrency, a digital the workplace and cause millions of or virtual currency, is designed to Homo Sapiens to lose their jobs and work as a medium of exchange and become defunct in the job market? can potentially wipe out the use of Will it favour those who will learn physical currency in the future. In its ways so that they can control the transportation sector, we see and adapt to improve their way of Google’s self-driving cars that can living? drive you to your destination while you read a book, eat a snack, put The world is running on the wheels on your make up, surf the web or of technology and if we want to take a nap. In agriculture, precision survive in the corporate world, farming management makes use of we need to know the direction in specialized sensors on a wide range which the world is heading; we of drones that measure, observe, need to adapt; we need to learn and respond to variability found

56 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 in crops such as crop health the comfort of applying for understand and know how to use mapping, water stress analysis, these services on their mobile them and have made life a bit difficult fertilizer management and phones and patiently waiting for and confusing for those who do not disease identification. their appointment dates. Also, have a fair understanding of how it drones have been introduced works and how to use it. Google and Apple are two by the Government for carrying popular tech giants in the medical supplies to people A measure of technological progress smartphone industry who have in hard-to-reach places. The is productivity. We have seen a lot come together to work and set SmartWorkplace introduced by of businesses adversely impacted smartphones to play significant National Information Technology by the COVID-19 pandemic but roles that will help in combating Agency (NITA) has incredible fortunately, Homo Sapiens in the the coronavirus pandemic. The tools that can make you chat, Information Technology field have phones are set to talk to each meet, call and collaborate from been able to turn things around by other to enable them build a anywhere around the world using technology to boost production. track-and-trace system and and also create interactive data Some examples include the use of might help manage the rate of visualizations. virtual meetings and conferences infections. that break the barriers to travel and One ubiquitous technology we make it possible for world leaders Now, let us come home. We cannot ignore is the computer to collaborate and find solutions to see technology being used in and internet technologies which problems; e-commerce that makes the service delivery as well have changed the world in every store accessible and doesn’t to enhance services such as every sector - transportation, limit it to one location but makes it passports and driver’s license agriculture, medicine, tourism, possible for people to make purchases issuance in Ghana; no more trade, entertainment, education, and delivery all around the world. queuing in the hot sun but a government, etc. They have proper appointment-booking made life easier and better in According to “How many jobs will be system that gives the public every aspect for those who lost to technology?”, an article by

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter 57 OCTOBER 2020

technology to execute their tasks. As a matter of fact, they will need it to work efficiently, like using analytic tools such as Power BI to visualize and make data interactive.

their jobs or find new work over The Homo Sapiens created the next few years. Information technology and therefore we have Richard Firth (March, 27 2018), Technology areas such as Artificial all the power and the ability to use ‘Digital transformation is a reality Intelligence will have to be deeply it to our advantage. That means and is having a major impact on embedded in our educational we cannot allow computers to take organizations of every size, and syllabus, especially in our part of our place in this life, we cannot let across all industries. The benefits the world. computers become our masters, of innovation and agility are we cannot let computers take numerous but many fear that this Machines are competing for our livelihoods leaving us clueless transformation is threatening jobs. jobs out there while population of what we need to do in order The rise of disruptive technologies growth is causing the job market to survive. We need to control is seeing total transformation to become seriously competitive. computers, we need to make them within the job market. Automation Government and labour unions work for us and generate income of manual tasks is the most obvious will also have to pay attention for us. We need to control the change, but Artificial Intelligence to this angle of technology power of technology; the first step (AI), big data, the Internet of Things transformation and implement is by renewing our mindsets and (IoT), blockchains and crowd new policies and strategies that killing the phobia associated with funding are also highly disruptive, will transform the labour force using computers and the internet, allowing established players and into a tech-savvy community. especially in the older generation. new incumbents to circumvent Government can also introduce We must understand the way they current infrastructure, and even policies that will help the youth work; without this knowledge, we replace man with machine’. This create their own jobs or start a will surely perish in this growing statement by Richard Firth might business. These policies could world of technology. The world seem like a big scare to those help avoid or at least reduce the cannot wait for another pandemic Homo Sapiens who don’t have the problems automation may bring. like COVID-19 to strike us before knowledge of using the computer we realize that we need to learn and the internet to their advantage But “there is hope”, says Burton- how to use the tools of technology especially the so-called “Born Cartledge, “that people who to improve our lives. Before Computers” (BBC). But choose careers, such as in the there is always a solution to every creative, technology, or health There is hope for the endangered problem and there is hope for not care industries, in which the Homo Sapiens once he or she becoming an endangered species. building of or decision making understands technology, embraces about relationships are central, the change that technology is How to Survive and Not Become will thrive during the next wave of bringing to this world and harnesses Extinct automation”. This does not mean the power of technology to Training and ‘upskilling’ will be vital that these careers or business become insusceptible and remain for individuals looking to hang on to owners will be free from using relevant!

58 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration Newsletter NEW PASSPORTS HEAD OFFICE AT RIDGE, ACCRA President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissions and hands over the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat building to the African Union Commission (AUC)