The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) had the honour of hosting a benchmarking visit from distinguished delegates of the Foreign Service Institute of Ghana (FSI) and the High Commission of Ghana in Malaysia on December 19. The delegation included Ambassador Akua Sekyiwa Ahenkora, Coordinating Director; Ambassador Hannah Nyarko, Coordinating Director/Political & Economic; and Mr. Hadi Alhassan, Assistant Director II from the Foreign Service Institute of Ghana. Representing the High Commission of Ghana in Malaysia were Her Excellency Florence Buerki Akonor, High Commissioner of Ghana in Malaysia, and Mr. Bernard Nwiah Yanzu, Counsellor/Consular.
The primary objective of this benchmarking visit was to provide the Ghanaian delegation with a holistic understanding of IDFR's operational framework as well as educational offerings and to establish a foundation for future partnerships between the two institutes.
The visit commenced with a formal courtesy call to the Director General of IDFR, Dato' Syed Mohamad Bakri bin Syed Abdul Rahman, marking the beginning of an insightful exchange between both parties. The interactive discussion covered a range of topics, delving into Malaysia’s selection process and requirements for diplomats, outlining training programmes offered to Junior, Mid-Level and Senior Diplomats, and exploring potential strategic partnerships.
Followed by a guided tour around IDFR, which led by Ambassador Sarimah Akbar, the Director of Management Services Division (MSD), the delegation embarked on a comprehensive briefing session at the VIP Dining Hall. This session had actively involved representatives from all the centres in IDFR. The delegation was provided with an in-depth insight into the intricate management framework, programmes and courses held, and IDFR’s contribution to diplomatic skills development. During the ensuing discussion, topic such as IDFR’s digital diplomacy, and the role of Malaysia’s former Ambassadors were also focused on.
As the benchmarking visit draws to a close, IDFR and FSI have gained mutual understanding through the exchange of knowledge and experiences during the discussions. In the spirit of diplomatic growth, IDFR and FSI share a commitment to the ongoing advancement of diplomatic trainings on a global scale.
Prepared by:
Corporate Affairs Section (CAS)
