December 20, 2013 - Pope Francis on Friday welcomed to the Vatican Ghana’s new ambassador
to the Holy See, James K. Bebaako-Mensah. At a formal ceremony, Bebaako-Mensah presented
his credentials to the Pontiff, initiating his diplomatic mission. The 72-year old
father of 5 children is a political science graduate and post-graduate in public administration.
He has held several administrative posts in Ghana as well as in the ministries of
transport, industry, social welfare, cabinet secretary and most recently the secretary
of the president of Ghana. Among others the Pope received Friday was also Archbishop
Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. The previous day, Thursday,
Pope Francis received Prime Minister Ralph Everard Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines, who later also met Vatican Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin
and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States. The
talks between the two sides focussed on common issues such as the defence of life
and the family, education and interreligious dialogue. They also touched upon other
issues regarding the countries in the area and collaboration within the regional organizations.