The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration marked the hundredth birthday of Mr Richard Maximilian Akwei, Ghana's oldest career diplomat and the sole survivor of the Group of 10 Pioneer Ghanaian Foreign Service Officers.
A delegation led by Mr Ramses Joseph Cleland, the Chief Director of the Ministry, paid a courtesy visit to Mr Akwei at his residence in Accra to celebrate the milestone.
During the visit, Mr Cleland, representing Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, presented Mr Akwei with a bouquet.
He commended Mr Akwei for his invaluable contributions to Ghana's Foreign Ministry Service, acknowledging his role as a pioneer in shaping the country's foreign policy.
Other members of the delegation included Mr Sidney Ellis, Director of Administration, and Madam Nana Tenewa Asamoah, Director of Information and Public Affairs.
Mr Akwei, born on November 27, 1923, attended the Prince of Wales (Achimota) College in Accra and joined the Foreign Service Corps in 1956.
He played a significant role in Ghana's foreign policy, serving as a Cadet Diplomat in Ottawa, Canada, after which he became the Counsellor and Head of Chancery for the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC following Ghana's independence in 1957.
His diplomatic career saw him holding key positions, including serving as Ghana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Ambassador to Switzerland, and Permanent Representative to the UN, New York. He also served as Ghana's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China.
Mr Cleland conveyed hearty congratulations to Mr Akwei on behalf of the Ministry's staff, acknowledging his distinguished service and positive impact on Ghana's foreign policy.
He highlighted Mr Akwei's role as an inspiration for young diplomats, stating, “Your contribution to Ghana's Foreign Policy during your time of active service is evident in the positive image Ghana enjoys on the international stage.”
In response, Mr Akwei expressed gratitude for the honor, wishing Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey success in her career. He reminisced about his friendship with Mr Cleland's father during his active service.