Ghana's UN Representative commissioned

By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills has commissioned into office, Ken Kanda, as Ghana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The commissioning of Ambassador Kanda, who until his appointment was the Director of State Protocol, was characterized by excitement and sadness among both senior and junior presidential staffers as they are happy for his elevation and yet sad that he was leaving them.

As a central figure in the functions of the Presidency, Ambassador Kanda’s appointment is considered as a result of the hardwork and excellent performance during his tenure as Director of State Protocol and his 35 years work in the Foreign Service.

President Mills, after administering the Oaths of Office, Allegiance and Secrecy to commission the new UN Representative, thanked God for providing the nation with a person like Mr. Kanda.

He has been an very dedicated and excellent Ambassador with a lot of professional integrity and loyal to the national duty.

He said although he was not very happy that Mr. Kanda was leaving the Presidency, he takes consolation in the fact he has been appointed a much challenging job for the nation at the UN.

According to the President, he has a lot of confidence in Mr. Kanda, and has no doubt that he would deliver.

He assured him of continuous cooperation and support to ensure the success of his work the UN in New York, and prayed for God’s guidance and blessing for him.

John Henry Martey-Newman, the Chief of Staff, in his remarks, also congratulated Mr. Kanda for his elevation, saying his absence would be felt.

“He is a humble, dedicated and eloquent diplomat who has served the nation with distinction,” he said.

He reminded him of the task ahead but expressed optimism that the new Ambassador would deliver according to expectation.

Mr. Kanda, whose new job would require him to coordinate Ghana’s affairs at the UN and promote the nation at the UN level, in his remarks, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him and promised that he would not fail him and the nation in general.

He thanked all his colleagues at the Presidency and the Foreign Ministry for the support and encouragement which contributed to his elevation.

He particularly thanked the President for his encouragement and appreciation of their work which he said motivated him and his colleagues to give off their best.

Mr. Kwame Tenkorang-Asamoah, outgoing Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan, will replace Ambassador Kanda as Director of State Protocol.