President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo bid farewell to the Iranian and Japanese Ambassadors, marking the end of their diplomatic service in Ghana.
In separate ceremonies at the Jubilee House on November 4, 2024, President Akufo-Addo expressed the nation’s appreciation to the two envoys for their roles in deepening the longstanding cooperation and friendship between Ghana and their respective countries.
Ambassador Bijam Gerami Nazoksara, the outgoing Iranian Ambassador, who began his tenure in Ghana in September 2022, attended the event in a traditional Fugu. Reflecting on his time in Ghana, he shared his admiration for the country’s rich cultural diversity.
Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mochizuki Hisanobu, who served Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, first represented Japan as Head of Mission in Ghana from 2009 to 2012 and returned as Ambassador in 2021. During his farewell, he congratulated Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her recent selection as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, underscoring his longstanding ties to Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the “very warm relations” between Ghana and Japan, noting the shared aspirations of both countries on bilateral and multilateral fronts. Speaking on Iran, he highlighted the half-century of friendly relations with Ghana and expressed hope that, with the United Nations’ support, Iran and Israel could work towards resolving their differences for regional and global peace and stability.