The British High Commissioner has described his three-year duty tour of Ghana as “extremely special and one that has brought the country and the UK exceptionally close.
Jon Benjamin who is ending his duties in the country, paid a courtesy call on President Nana Akufo-Addo to bid him farewell on Tuesday.
The High Commissioner said his travels around the country during his tenure has been an eye-opener.
“It is by travelling that you really know the people and the culture…It has been an experience we will treasure.
“We will retain fond memories of this wonderful country and these beautiful people, and we leave with great sadness. My wife and I will always hold the name of Ghana high. We will remain very committed", he added.
Jon Benjamin, considered by most as a maverick diplomat has defied the rules of diplomacy; he has actively participated in discussions on current affairs throuTwitterhandle, often bantering with his social media followers on pertinent national issues from local politics to sports. He has on several occasions incurred the wrath of some Ghanaians who have felt he is unnecessarily interfering in our internal affairs.
President Akufo-Addo, said Mr Benjamin will be fondly missed by Ghanaians for the “controversies†that he found himself in while serving his role as UK High Commissioner in Ghana.
“A lot of people are very sad… We appreciate your style and many of the controversies that you were in…We appreciate your contribution to our national development, “the President stated.
Mr Benjamin who has been in Ghana since 2014 was reassigned by the UK's Foreign Office in February 2017, to be replaced by Iain Walker as Her Majesty’s British High Commissioner to Ghana.