The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has honoured long-serving locally recruited staff of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad, celebrating decades of dedication and exceptional service to the nation.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the recognition of Mr. Oriel Chinthaka Ariyaratna Paiyagala Linyanage, a locally recruited driver at Ghana’s Embassy in France, whose lifelong dream of visiting Ghana came true after 41 years of dedicated service.

Mr. Oriel, originally from Sri Lanka, was recruited on September 8, 1984, and served faithfully as a representational driver at the Paris mission. His commitment spans generations, as his late father also served for many years as a driver at the same embassy but never had the opportunity to visit Ghana.

In a special surprise during a carols service organized by the Ministry, Mr. Oriel was presented with an all-expenses-paid trip to Ghana as part of his long-service award. The package includes visits to key tourist attractions, gifts, and a cash prize in recognition of his unwavering loyalty and service.

Announcing the award, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, described the gesture as a reflection of Ghana’s appreciation for the invaluable contributions of locally recruited staff who often serve quietly but diligently behind the scenes.

In addition to Mr. Oriel, the Ministry also honoured other distinguished Ghanaian staff members for their long years of service. They include Mr. Evans Aryeequaye Attoh, a driver at Ghana’s Embassy in Rome with 36 years of service; Mrs. Caroline Nkrumah-Appiah, a stenographer at Ghana’s Mission in New York who has served for 35 years; and Mr. Philip Twum Nkansah, an Accounts Assistant at the Rome Embassy with 35 years of service.

According to Hon. Ablakwa, the awards form part of a new long-service and best-performing staff award scheme established specifically for locally recruited staff of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad. The initiative aims to motivate staff, promote inclusivity, and enhance productivity across Ghana’s foreign missions. The scheme will be implemented annually.

The Minister noted that while home-based Foreign Service staff already benefit from an existing award framework, this new scheme ensures that locally recruited colleagues also receive the recognition they deserve.

“Ghana values your contributions,” Hon. Ablakwa stated, congratulating all award recipients for their remarkable service and commitment to the nation.