The outgoing British High Commission will be fondly missed by Ghanaians, President Nana Addo has said.
Jon Benjamin, who is very active on social media especially Twitter, has been heavily criticized by some Ghanaians for what many have described as controversial comments.
There have also been a number of criticisms by Ghanaian politicians who have argued that Jon Benjamin has no business meddling in local politics, and that his comments were often undiplomatic.
Despite these developments, the President stated that, Ghanaians will miss the “controversies” that Jon Benjamin found himself in while serving his role as UK High Commissioner in Ghana.
“A lot of people are very sad… We appreciate your style and many of the controversies that you were in…We appreciate your contribution to our national development, “ the President said when Jon Benjamin paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House.
Jon Benjamin was at the Flagstaff House to bid the President farewell, describing his experience in Ghana as “special.”
“I am privileged to have had series of amazing chapters in my life in different countries and this chapter in Ghana has been extremely special. Our relations between your government and our government is exceptionally close; many of which are not public knowledge but are very valuable to both countries.”
Reminiscing activities that characterized his stay in Ghana, Jon Benjamin said “It’s been a privilege and an honour to travel extensively around Ghana and I have often said that many mistakes many diplomats make is staying in the capital of the country and they don’t travel around the country. It is by travelling that you really know the people, and the culture and it has been our privilege to do that. It has been an experience we will treasure.”
“ We will retain fond memories of this wonderful country and this beautiful people, and we leave with great sadness. My wife and I will always hold the name of Ghana high. We will remain very committed.”
The Foreign Office of the UK in February 2017, announced the appointment of Iain Walker as Her Majesty’s British High Commissioner to Ghana.
Iain Walker will thus replace Jon Benjamin, a man whose tenure in Ghana as a diplomat has been deemed controversial due to some of his utterances and actions.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
