Meet The First Female Permanent Representative Of Ghana Mission To The Un.

Journey so far It has been an interesting Journey. But basically, it started with my interest in international relations and international affairs in high school, way back in form 1.I joined Ghana United Nations Students association (GUNSA) that took me right through 6th form and entered the University of Ghana, where I was also an executive member. I did my national service in the GUNSA secretaraite.It happened to be my passion right through my education. Interestingly I got an opportunity again through GUNSA to do an internship in human rights department in Geneva. It was with the women organization by name women’s international league for peace and freedom they offered internships for young ladies.

Working at the Foreign Affairs Ministry It was an exciting year in Geneva. Whiles I was there I learnt of a scholarship in Hague, I got back to Ghana, I applied, I got references from GUNSA and luckily the Dutch government offered me with a fellowship to read my masters in development studies. My area of specialization was in women and development, it was a new subject in those days way back in 1987 but before I left I heard from the GUNSA office that the foreign ministry was recruiting we hurriedly put together applications for submission, I was shot listed for the interview but before the result was out I had an offer for the master degree so I left because I wasn’t sure I was going to be recruited. But somewhere in the process while I was in the Hague, my father called and said well you have been recruited so what next. In principle I felt I should not turn down a good offer and come to Ghana but rather see whether it was possible to join the service after my course. I wrote a letter of my life to then Foreign Minister(Obed Asamoah ) so It was processed the decision was that , I should complete my course and join the service. In 1988 December,I finished my course and in the first working day of January1989 I begun work.

POSTINGS I have risen through the ranks ,interestingly my first bureau was the International organization and conferences bureau which worked with the UN ,I was posted to Moscow, posted from Moscow to Geneva came back to Ghana 1998 worked for 2 years, was posted to Israel from 2000-2004,I returned to Ghana 2 years then posted to Washington DC .2006-2008 returned to Ghana posted to Pretoria in SouthAfrica,2 more years, it was during this time H.E the president decided to elevate me as Ghana’s ambassador to the UN .This has been a passion of mine so even when there were odds, decisions that were taken all placed me there, follow your heart and listen to your inner being because I believe that is where God speaks to you. When he closes a door somewhere he will open a window somewhere , work hard in the area where you are interested in and dedicate yourself go all the way you will get there. This is my advice to young people who have taken this path. FAMILY First of all, I have had a wonderful husband who has been a firm support, Professor Pobee my husband a lecturer, retired but also a reverend, has been my chief advisor, he counsels me in difficulties and I always feel there is someone who is there for me.

DIPLOMACY (What young people should know) You must have a good control of language have good grib,if is English you are speaking please speak good English, improve upon your diction, your choice of words, if you know what words to use you can work with it, you can say the same thing without being so upsetting you must couch your words properly to convey the message in a soft manner or harsh manner if necessary ,you are not going to destroy relations with one country because you used the wrong language, in drafting a resolution even where the coma and full stop is placed is very important because of the interpretation. You know you are dealing with different cultures, you have to be very observant ad sensitive and have a good command of the English language .if its French you want to use have a good command or Arabic. so that you can express yourself the way that you ought. In drafting you must be ready to write, because you will write speeches, resolution, and you are with 193 countries in a community where every country wants to put out their best so you cannot come half backed.

CHALLENGES You are working in a predominantly male instituition,you have to do double to be recognized, sometimes the unfortunate thinking among some people that you got there because you know a Minister you constantly having to prove otherwise. Sometimes in your work the way they relate with you tells you this is the way this person thinks of women. You have to handle this in a way that will not affect the relation. So you ward off some of these things, these are rather on the personal side. But on the institutional side it has to do with promotions it can be difficult at times, the rules but I wouldn’t say it has been too challenging beyond what I can handle.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (AMBITIOUS OR ATTAINABLE) Well they are ambitious but not impossible to attain. Africa has the potential to achieve these goals and even more .I think the millennium development goals taught us that it is possible, for me it is now or never. This is our chance to do it. Yes, it is ambitious in the sense that it is not something that can easily be done so you want to make a concerted effort to attain it, the experience of the past 15 years have proved that it can be done and we are seeing results with the past 15 years of the MDGs, there is a sense that we don’t want to continue to live off, hands out. We should look within because the potential is right where we are.eg in energy the Democratic republic Congo as the capacity to hydroelectric production that can cover a large space. We need to link up the infrastructure. If we join our efforts there is much that we can achieve, eg.the road network, rail network. It can be done, there is a role we all have to play, eg.NGOs and as individuals urging and reminding our national institutions. We should not rest. For us here, ours is to follow up make sure we are part of the discussion in terms of the implementation. It should not just be the speeches but the actions, so that future generations will not judge as badly, we owe it ourselves and the future generation.