The government has announced an open competition for a green and creative architectural design of facilities to house Ghana’s missions abroad.
The competition which opened yesterday would close on Friday, November 14, 2025. Participants are to submit their designs at the Ministry.
“All Ghanaian architects whether young or old, fresh graduates or legends – you are all free to participate,” Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency in Accra yesterday.
The competition forms part of government’s Strategic Transition from Renting to Infrastructure Development (STRIDE) Initiative.
“Under this landmark policy, the Ministry will progressively reduce its reliance on rented facilities for its missions abroad by acquiring and developing permanent, state-owned properties,” Mr Ablakwa, MP, North Tongu elucidated.
The STRIDE Initiative, he said, demonstrated government’s commitment to sustainable diplomacy, fiscal responsibility, and the dignified presentation of Ghana’s image internationally.
“Ghana cannot continue spending US$15million every year on rent for our diplomatic missions. This cannot be judicious use of taxpayer resources. Our image is not enhanced abroad and it certainly does not do our foreign service any good.”
In view of this, the Foreign Affairs Minister said a transaction advisor had been appointed by the Finance Ministry and a consortium of banks being put together to finance STRIDE in a transparent and competitive manner.
He said, so far, documentation confirming land donation to Ghana in 23 countries for construction of chanceries and residencies has been secured.
“These lands will be fully utilised to save cost and drastically reduce the financial burden of STRIDE. Again, it cannot be prudent to own land in 23 countries and be renting for all these decades, as some governments threaten to take back their donations,” he stated.
The new embassies and high commissions to be constructed across all missions would have a standard design which should depict Ghana’s unique heritage and culture and would be known as Ghana House, the Minister said.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
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