President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his administration is rolling out a new policy to curb the $15 million spent annually on property rentals for Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
The initiative, unveiled during the commissioning of newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners at the Presidency on September 4, forms part of the government’s “reset agenda” to reduce state expenditure and ease the burden on taxpayers.
Mr. Mahama explained that the policy, codenamed STRIDE—Strategic Transition from Rental to Developing our own Properties—will focus on rent-to-own arrangements to gradually end the country’s dependence on costly property leases for its missions.
“Let me be emphatic. Ghana cannot continue spending more than $15 million every year on renting properties abroad for our diplomatic use. This is not a judicious use of taxpayers’ resources, and the reset agenda requires an immediate reversal of this trend,” he stressed.
The STRIDE initiative will be spearheaded by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance. According to the President, a transaction advisor has already been engaged, and standard architectural drawings have been prepared for proposed mission buildings. Government is also exploring funding options to finance the projects.
Mr. Mahama said the policy seeks to provide modern administrative and residential facilities for Ghana’s missions abroad while preserving the country’s dignity and corporate image on the global stage.
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Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
