The Italian government has announced the appointment of Laura Ranalli as its new Ambassador to Ghana, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, Italy's leading news agency reports.

She succeeds Ambassador Daniela d'Orlandi and brings with her an illustrious diplomatic career spanning over two decades.

Born in Avezzano, Italy, on 21 June 1976, Ambassador Ranalli graduated with honours in Classical Philology from Rome’s La Sapienza University in 2000. 

She further pursued postgraduate studies in International Relations at the Italian Society for International Organisation from 2000 to 2002, equipping her with a strong foundation in global diplomacy. 

Ambassador Ranalli began her diplomatic career in December 2002 after excelling in a competitive examination. 

Her initial posting was with the Directorate General for Cultural Promotion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2006, she was assigned to the Italian Embassy in Warsaw, where she served as First Secretary.  

From 2010 to 2014, she worked as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Italy in Vilnius, Lithuania, where she held the roles of First Secretary and, later, Counsellor.

She then returned to Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2015, serving in the Directorate General for the European Union. In this capacity, she worked as Deputy Head of Office for Mediterranean European Countries and later as Head of Office for Central and Eastern European Countries. 

In 2020, Ambassador Ranalli returned to Warsaw as Deputy Head of Mission and served as Acting Chargé d'Affaires between November 2022 and February 2023. 

Most recently, from August 2024 to December 2024, she worked with the Directorate General for Globalisation in the Central Directorate for Sub-Saharan African Countries at Farnesina.  

Her distinguished service has earned her significant recognition, including the Knighthood of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2019.  

Beyond her professional life, Ambassador Ranalli is married to Piotr K?pi?ski, a Polish poet and literary critic. 

Ambassador Ranalli’s extensive experience in European and African affairs is expected to strengthen the already cordial relations between Ghana and Italy. Her appointment comes at a crucial time as both nations continue to expand their bilateral ties in areas such as trade, cultural exchange and development cooperation.