Feb 11- 2026

On Monday, 9 February 2026, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama swore in five newly appointed Ambassadors to represent Ghana abroad.

The ceremony took place in Accra and formed part of the Government’s broader national reset agenda, with a strong emphasis on economic diplomacy and results driven foreign representation.

The President charged the Ambassadors to prioritise the promotion of Ghana’s economic interests, attract foreign investment, and strengthen bilateral relations in support of national development goals. He urged Heads of Mission to move beyond routine representation and adopt a proactive, impact focused approach to diplomacy.

The newly sworn in envoys will serve in the Republic of Mali, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Cuba, and Malta.

Among the appointees was Lieutenant Colonel Umar Sanda Ahmed, who has been designated as Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Mali.

Lt. Col. Ahmed brings extensive experience in military service, diplomacy, security affairs, and religious leadership. He previously served as Ghana’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, with concurrent accreditation to Lebanon, Sudan, and Cyprus. He also served on the 2025 Ghana Hajj Taskforce, where he held responsibility for operational coordination.

He served for over two decades as Chief Imam of the Ghana Armed Forces, contributing to cohesion and interfaith harmony within the military. He is currently the Executive Director of the Africa Security and Diplomacy Centre and a member of the NDC Ambassadors Forum.

Lt. Col. Ahmed is an alumnus of the University of Ghana, Legon, the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

His appointment underscores Ghana’s commitment to deploying experienced leadership to advance peace, cooperation, and economic engagement with partner countries.

Amb. Lt. Col. Umar Sanda Ahmed is expected soon in Bamako to start official duties.