Former British Council Director Payne receives OBE

Mr John Payne, former Director British Council, Ghana, has been chosen by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to receive an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his exceptional work for the British Council while in Ghana.

A statement from the British High Commission in Accra said the Order of the British Empire appointment was part of a list of British honours that are awarded by the Queen to deserving individuals on merit, for exceptional achievement or service.

Each year, the Queen chooses the recipients on the advice of the Prime Minister, to whom recommendations are sent either by government ministers or by members of the public.

The honours are published in the official Crown newspaper, the London Gazette.

Mr John Payne was Director British Council Ghana from 2003 to 2006.

The statement said during his tenure, Mr Payne spearheaded developments and improvements that took place both with internal management procedures and external customer focused services.

On receiving the news, John said: "I feel very pleased about receiving this honour.

However, honours like this, though given to one person, are also an acknowledgement of the achievements and efforts of colleagues with whom they have worked.

"So I would like to say many thanks and the very best wishes to all my former colleagues in Accra and Kumasi for all their assistance and support I received while working in Ghana."