Introduction
An ambassador few years back could only be spotted at state functions, seated at a designated area marked ‘Diplomatic Corps,’ the other pointer being the red CD number plate of their often-flashy cars.
Quick digression, back in primary school during a mental session on Roman Numerals, our teacher asked for the equivalent of CD in numbers, only for a colleague John Fafa Kuwornoo to write Corp Diplomaire in a mathematics. John made history and the rest was history.
Diplomacy has changed in many ways than one thanks to the advent of social media. Today, governments can respond to concerns and criticisms in real time because of technology – especially Twitter.
Twitter, the birdy microblogging platform, has become a key platform for engagement between people and institutions. In the last few years, Ghanaians have had very close contact with diplomats thanks to the platform.
This article looks back at five of the most prominent western ambassadors who have leveraged on Twitter to interface with Twitter users.
Sophisticated Sophie de France
Anne Sophie Ave, the immediate past French Ambassador, redefined the use of Twitter as a bridge between multiple social actors, from people in governance, the entertainment space, academia and ordinary Ghanaians.
Madame Ave hired a social media manager and facilitated cultural exchanges between Ghana and France using the power of social media. Her TV programme, ‘A Touch Of France,’ also proved not to be a novelty for an ambassador but also that it achieved great mileage and leverage.
Bike-riding walker of UK
Former United Kingdom High Commissioner, Iain Walker, would be remembered for his cross-country bicycle tour that saw him touch base with Ghanaians and institutions along his way.
He came to the role barely with a presence on Twitter but the profile of his predecessor meant that he had to partly takeover from where the departing High Commissioner was leaving off – despite that being impossible on multiple fronts.
Booming Benjamin of the UK
Cue in the predecessor, Jon Benjamin, by far the most controversial ambassador under the Fourth Republic. Benjamin commented on all subjects, ranging from politics, governance, football, food, corruption even religion.
He won’t back down or out irrespective of the critique that was directed at him. From president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to John Dramani Mahama, John Dumelo to Kwesi Nyantakyi, Ibrahim Sannie Daara to Bishop Daniel Obinim, Benjamin hardly ever held back – thanks to Twitter.
Nature loving Andrews of Australia
Another character who courted controversy was the Australian ambassador, Gregory Andrews, whiles like Iain Walker, he carved a niche for visiting natural habitats and forest reserves across the country, his human rights activism got him into a crisis over gay rights.
Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam Nartey George, had cause to openly threaten to aggress the ambassador after he (Andrews) openly campaigned for same-sex rights. He also came under fire from Ghanaians who are stiffly opposed to the LGBTQ+ agenda.
Daniela d’Orlandi of Italy
Representing Italy as its ambassador in Ghana and Togo, the diplomat has also engaged in the usual ambassadorial duties of strengthening trade and other development allied relations with the two countries.
Keeping in line with the new era of interfacing more with people on social media, she met in June 2022, a group she described as top bloggers, young entrepreneurs and artists “on cultural exchanges, lifestyle and sports to further strengthen the relationship between Ghana and Italy.”
Conclusion
Other Western diplomats playing in the same category include the European Union permanent representative and the current British High Commissioner.
Global diplomacy continues to be drastically
redefined thanks social media especially Twitter, that state of affairs will if
anything at all, continue on an upward trajectory and if so, I beg to ask; what
are African diplomats doing to engage more? The time is now, innit?
Alpha Barani Shaban [BACS231189] is a digital journalist and Communication Studies student at GIJ
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| Left - Right: Ex-UK HC Jon Benjamin, ex-Australia ambassador Gregory Andres, ex-French ambassador Anne Sophie Ave and current Italian ambassador Daniela d'Orlandi |