Sir Bebaako-Mensah made first Ghana envoy to Holy See

The President, John Mahama has today May 22, 2013 sworn-in Sir James K. Bebaako-Mensah as Ghana’s envoy to the Holy See (The Vatican).

By his appointment, the former Secretary to the President of Ghana becomes the first envoy to be accredited to the Vatican.

A press release issued by the Presidency describes him as a distinguished civil servant with considerable experience, who has served as Secretary to the Cabinet during the second term of President Jerry John Rawlings, retiring from the Civil Service in April 2001.

Sir Bebaako-Mensah was recalled from retirement in January 2009 to serve as Secretary to President John Evans Atta Mills. He served in that position until January 2013, the release said.

The release noted that he was a graduate of the University of Ghana, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, he also attended Mawuli School in Ho for his Ordinary and Advanced Level GCE examinations.

In the Civil Service, he worked and travelled to all corners of Ghana, accounting for his multilingual and diverse cultural background, it said, adding that was decorated with the Companion of the Order of the Volta for his distinguished service in the Public Service in 2006.

He is also an awardee of the knighthood of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI for his distinguished service to the Church and State, it added.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi