Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that the country has secured donated land in 23 nations for the construction of chancelleries and official residences.
According to the Minister, the initiative is aimed at drastically reducing the financial burden of long-term rent.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series today (September 15), Mr Ablakwa confirmed that documented proof exists showing land donations to Ghana from partner countries, describing the development as a result of strong bilateral relations.
“So far, we have documentations confirming land donation to Ghana in 23 countries for the construction of chancelleries and residencies,” he said on Monday, September 15.
“These lands will be fully utilised to save costs and drastically cut the financial burden of STRIDE.”
The Strategic Redesign for Infrastructure and Diplomatic Efficiency (STRIDE) initiative is a cornerstone of the Mahama administration’s foreign policy and public spending reforms.
According to the Minister, building Ghana’s own embassies and residences on these donated lands is both a financially prudent and diplomatically responsible course of action.
“It really cannot be prudent to own lands in these 23 countries and, at the same time, be renting at really exorbitant cost for all these decades,” he remarked.
The Minister further disclosed that some governments are beginning to express frustration over Ghana’s inaction, with threats to revoke their land donations if development does not commence soon.
“The sad part is that some governments are beginning to threaten that they will take their lands back if we are not going to make good use of the land,” Mr Ablakwa warned.
“That is why this STRIDE initiative is so timely and must be supported by all.”
This announcement follows closely on the heels of a newly launched international architectural competition for designing “Ghana House”, a standardised, culturally resonant and environmentally sustainable model for all future embassies and high commissions.
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