Ghana to shut down Belgrade embassy

Local Media in Ghana have reported that the African country will soon shut down its diplomatic mission in Serbia. Serbia has expelled Ghana’s ambassador after the African country recognized Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, said reports. Ghana to shut down Belgrade embassy Ghana’s Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni told parliament that the hitherto “cordial relations” between the two countries suffered “serious bruises” after Ghana recognized Kosovo. Angry Serbian authorities sent Ambassador Samuel Valis-Akyianu packing in an attempt to mount pressure on Accra to reverse its decision to recognize Kosovo, GhanaWeb news outlet has reported. The Serbian authorities have asked Ghana's Ambassador in Belgrade to return home and consult with the Ghana Government to reverse the recognition and have requested its Honorary Consulate in Accra to be closed down, GhanaWeb writes. The foreign minister said that Ghana had “no better choice than to order the complete closure of our mission in Belgrade”. “The long standing cordial relations between Ghana and Serbia, which dates back to the days of the former Yugoslavia can now be based more on political considerations, rather than on mutually beneficial economic interests,” Mumuni stressed. Ghana’s Embassy in Belgrade has stated that Valis-Akyianu has returned to Ghana but the embassy representatives could not confirm that the country’s diplomatic mission in Serbia will be closed. B92 GhanaWeb

Ghana to shut down Belgrade embassy

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni told parliament that the hitherto “cordial relations” between the two countries suffered “serious bruises” after Ghana recognized Kosovo.

Angry Serbian authorities sent Ambassador Samuel Valis-Akyianu packing in an attempt to mount pressure on Accra to reverse its decision to recognize Kosovo, GhanaWeb news outlet has reported.

The Serbian authorities have asked Ghana's Ambassador in Belgrade to return home and consult with the Ghana Government to reverse the recognition and have requested its Honorary Consulate in Accra to be closed down, GhanaWeb writes.

The foreign minister said that Ghana had “no better choice than to order the complete closure of our mission in Belgrade”.

“The long standing cordial relations between Ghana and Serbia, which dates back to the days of the former Yugoslavia can now be based more on political considerations, rather than on mutually beneficial economic interests,” Mumuni stressed.

Ghana’s Embassy in Belgrade has stated that Valis-Akyianu has returned to Ghana but the embassy representatives could not confirm that the country’s diplomatic mission in Serbia will be closed.