Ghana, Serbia in diplomatic row; missions closed in both countries

Ghana’s recognition of Kosovo as a partial independent country has sparked serious diplomatic row between Ghana and Serbia.

The Eastern European country has sent Ghana’s Ambassador Samuel Valis Akyeanu packing, leaving Ghana no choice but to respond in an equal manner.

Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni confirmed the new development at a press conference held on Wednesday.

Kosovo was part of Serbia but after a strenuous fight for self determination declared its independence on 17 February 2008.

As of 17 February 2012, the Republic of Kosovo has received 90 diplomatic recognitions, including Ghana, but that appears to have come at a cost to the West African country.

Angry Serbia severed its years of diplomatic relations with Ghana.

Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni told Joy News shortly after the conference that President John Mills who is the “chief diplomat has considered all issues and in his wisdom has directed that we recognize Kosovo.”

That recognition he insisted cannot be considered as a “hostile act against Serbia.”

He said other countries have recognized Kosovo whilst maintaining their relationship with Serbia and wondered why Serbia has taken such an action against Ghana.

The Foreign Minister downplayed the impact the row would have on the fortunes of Ghana, saying, there is not much economic activity going on between the two countries.
Hasty decision

Dr Nyaho Tamakloe

But former Ambassador to Serbia under the erstwhile Kufuor administration Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe vehemently disagrees.

He told Joy News it is a wrong decision taken by government to recognize Kosovo and the consequences even more precarious.

He said it is a “total lie” for anybody to suggest that there is not much economic activity between Ghana and Serbia.

According to Tamakloe, the Serbians built for Ghana the Naval Base, the all too famous International Conference Centre and many other economic activities, after nurturing over 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On the contrary, the former ambassador insisted Ghana has little to gain from Kosovo but everything to lose from Serbia.

With the AU yet to take a position on Kosovo, Nyaho Tamakloe believed Ghana has been hasty in its decision to recognize Kosovo.
source: myjoyonline.com
But in a reaction, Mohammed Mumuni said Ghana’s foreign policy is not dictated by the AU.

He said in the spirit of diplomacy, self determination and international peace, the Chief diplomat- President Mills- decided that Ghana recognizes Kosovo as an independent country.