President Mahama bids farewell to UK envoy

President John Dramani Mahama has praised outgoing British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, for her dedicated service, while underscoring the need for a renewed economic and diplomatic partnership between Ghana and the United Kingdom.

At a farewell meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, President Mahama commended the diplomat for her impactful four-year tenure, describing her stay in Ghana as marked by “positive engagements.”

Reflecting on the long-standing bond between the two nations, he remarked that relations have been “so far so good.”

Even as he acknowledged the strength of the historical relationship, President Mahama stressed that the future must be defined by enhanced trade and investment. He pointed to global shifts that are rendering traditional aid models less sustainable, urging countries like Ghana to adapt strategically.

He also highlighted the UK's vital role in regional security, especially in combating terrorism through intelligence sharing and capacity building.

“We appreciate the partnership we have shared in the fight against terrorism,” he said. “We will continue to rely on the UK for help and cooperation in intelligence gathering and training to prepare ourselves in the event of any attack.”

Turning to regional diplomacy, the president briefed the High Commissioner on his recent engagements with the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—three members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). He reaffirmed his commitment to bridging divides and rebuilding relationships with Ghana’s northern neighbours.

"I am going to have the opportunity to report to the rest of the ECOWAS leaders on trips I made to the three countries and share some of my perspectives about their grievances and how we can redefine relationships," he said, referring to the upcoming ECOWAS summit on Sunday, the first since he assumed office.

On the domestic front, President Mahama expressed optimism about Ghana’s economic direction, citing early indicators of recovery and stability.

"I am happy to report that it's going well," he said. "The first quarter report on economic performance indicates a GDP growth of 5.3 per cent, inflation has reduced from 23 per cent to 18 per cent since January, and we hope to bring it down to 13 per cent by the end of the year, so that should create some relief for Ghanaians in terms of the cost of living and we will continue to maintain fiscal discipline."

High Commissioner Harriet Thompson, whose term spanned over four years, thanked the government and people of Ghana for the hospitality and cooperation extended to her. She also highlighted the successful rollout of several UK-funded initiatives during her service.