Foreign Ministry Honours Long-Serving Embassy Driver With First-Ever Visit to Ghana After 41 Years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has honoured Oriel Chinthaka Ariyaratna Paiyagala Linyanage, a Sri Lankan national and long-serving driver at Ghana’s Embassy in France, with an all-expenses-paid trip to Ghana in recognition of his 41 years of dedicated service.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the gesture, describing it as the fulfilment of Oriel’s lifelong dream of visiting Ghana. According to the minister, Oriel has served as a representational driver at the Ghanaian mission in Paris since September 8, 1984, demonstrating exceptional loyalty and commitment over more than four decades.

In a social media post, Mr Ablakwa explained that the award was presented during a carols service, where Oriel was surprised with the sponsored trip. The package includes visits to major tourist attractions in Ghana, gifts, and a cash prize.

“After 41 years of faithful service to Ghana, his dream has finally come true. We honoured him with an all-expenses-paid trip to Ghana as part of our appreciation for his extraordinary dedication,” the minister stated.

Mr Ablakwa further revealed that Oriel’s late father also served as a driver at the Ghana Embassy in France for many years but never had the opportunity to visit Ghana, making the recognition particularly significant.

As part of the same initiative, the Foreign Affairs Ministry also recognised other long-serving locally recruited Ghanaian staff at various diplomatic missions abroad. Those honoured include:

Mr Evans Aryeequaye Attoh, driver at the Ghana Embassy in Rome, with 36 years of service

Mrs Caroline Nkrumah-Appiah, stenographer at the Ghana Mission in New York, with 35 years of service

Mr Philip Twum Nkansah, accounts assistant at the Ghana Embassy in Rome, with 35 years of service

According to the minister, these recognitions form part of a newly established long-service and best-performing staff award scheme for locally recruited employees of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.

“The ministry has introduced this annual award scheme to motivate our locally recruited colleagues, deepen inclusivity, and promote productivity across our missions,” Mr Ablakwa said. He added that home-based Foreign Service staff already benefit from a separate, existing award scheme.

Congratulating all the award recipients, the minister emphasised that Ghana values their contributions and remains committed to recognising dedication and excellence in public service.

Source: Yen.com.gh