The selection of the new UNWTO Secretary General will take place from 29th - 30th May, at the Organisation's Headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

The winner of the position, which is being contested by six candidates, requires the support of 18 of the 35 member countries voting.

"We seek the invaluable support of your respective countries for this candidature," President Mahama appealed to Members of the Diplomatic Community in Ghana in his address at the 2025 Exchange of New Year Greetings, the first since his assumption of office on the 7th of January, for a second term in office.

The President on behalf of the Government and the People of Ghana and in his own name, extended warm wishes to Members of the Diplomatic Community in Ghana for a happy and prosperous 2025.

The event was organized at the Presidency in Accra, instead of Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region.

The President said this formal gathering with Members of the Diplomatic Corps represented a renewed hope for partnership and promise of new beginnings stepping into the year 2025.

"On this occasion, we affirm our commitment to nurturing the bonds of friendship, cooperation and goodwill that exists between Ghana and your respective countries," he said.

The President said in the globalised and complex world, their fates were inextricably intertwined and this fact could not be overstated.

"The relations that we forge will ripple through time, influencing the trajectory of our nations and the quality of lives of our people."
He said they began the new year on the heels of several diplomatic achievements for Ghana.

The President said in a challenging multilateral environment, Ghana successfully chaired the 67th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, negotiated and adopted by consensus the mid-term review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration of the World Drug Problem.
He said Ghana was also elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three-year term beginning this year.

"We will use our membership of the UN Human Rights Council to champion the promotion and protection of human rights globally," President Mahama said.
He said Ghana was also elected for the first time as Chair of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors for a one-year term.

President Mahama said this offered Ghana an opportunity to deepen its efforts in promoting nuclear safety and security as well as the peaceful uses of nuclear energy to address global challenges such as food security and malnutrition, climate change issues, epidemics, disease and energy sustainability.

He said in addition, Ghana concluded its role as President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a position that helped Ghana to amplify her voice and influence in climate discussions amongst the Committee of Nations.

He said Ghana became a full member of the Organisation Internationale de Francophonie, which was a testament to their commitment to regional cooperation and cultural diplomacy.

The President said this membership did not only promote linguistic diversity, but also expanded their trade and investment opportunities, positioning Ghana as a key player in bridging the Anglophone and Francophone-African gap.

He said moreover, the election of Ghana's immediate former Foreign Minister, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, as the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, underscored Ghana's growing prominence in multilateral relations and global governance.

He said Madam Ayorkor Botchwey's eminent stewardship of the Commonwealth should inspire a new generation of diplomatic and policy makers who would take up the mantle of service for their nation and the global community.

The President conveyed Ghana's appreciation to all partner countries for their unwavering support on both bilateral and multilateral fronts; declaring that "throughout our development journey, you have been our partners".

He said their consistent commitment had been vital in propelling Ghana towards its goals, and that he hoped to further strengthen these relations as they advanced Ghana's developmental agenda.

"Together we can explore innovative solutions to common economic, social or environmental challenges."

The President also took the opportunity to acknowledge the important role that the Diplomatic Corps play in fostering international goodwill and understanding for Ghana as a beacon of democracy in Africa.

He said the recent national elections during which Ghanaians overwhelmingly voted for a change bears testimony once again to this reputation.
He said it was both an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with the mandate of their people during this transformative period in the nation's history.

He said Ghana's democracy thrived on active participation, and that it was crucial every voice was heard to chart a new path forward.

"For the international observers who travelled kilometres to come and join us to host successful elections, I want to say a big thank you," the President stated.

The President expressed gratitude to Mr Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana, for his leadership and collaborative spirit that had fostered unity within the diplomatic community. "Your leadership serves as a reminder that diplomacy is not solely about negotiation, it is also about cultivating enduring relationships," he said.

President Mahama was also grateful to the entire Diplomatic Corps for their invaluable contributions towards strengthening the relations between Ghana and their respective countries and institutions.

He said through every encounter and dialogue, they had played a pivotal role in shaping a global narrative that prioritises unity over division; saying "I thank you for your unwavering service and commitment".

The President reiterated that their work served as a bridge connecting their diverse cultures and fostering mutual understanding among communities.