Ghana row birthed from minister’s SMS
West Africans sit on Nghituwamata's posting
International relations minister Selma Ashipala-Masavyi reportedly sent a text message to her Ghanaian counterpart seeking the commissioning of Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata as Namibia’s high commissioner-designate, pending formal diplomatic approval. The move later drew the ire of the West African nation, which to date has reportedly not accepted Nghituwamata’s appointment.
The Namibian high commission in Accra described the informal step as a “friendly gesture,” taken in the context of excellent bilateral relations between Namibia and Ghana.
This explanation was contained in a note sent to the Ghanaian ministry of foreign affairs dated 16 December 2025.
Yesterday, Namibian Sun reported that Ghana had formally sought an explanation from Namibia, questioning why Nghituwamata had been commissioned without prior approval, in apparent contravention of standard diplomatic protocol.
The high commission’s note explains that, with the Namibian high commission in Accra vacant for over nine months, Ashipala-Masavyi sent a text on 5 December 2025 requesting that Ghana allow Nghituwamata to participate in the commissioning ceremony scheduled for 8 December in Namibia, while the formal agrément would follow later.
“The minister, with full regard to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations but informed by our excellent bilateral relations, engaged the Ghanaian high commissioner in Windhoek to confirm with the Ghanaian authorities whether the nominee could be included in the commissioning, with the agrément to follow later. The high commissioner indicated he would consult Accra and revert,” the note read.
According to the letter, the Ghanaian high commissioner in Windhoek confirmed the arrangement, allowing Nghituwamata to be commissioned.
“Subsequently, on 6 December, the minister received a text from the Ghanaian high commissioner stating that Accra had indicated that the nominee could be included in the commissioning ceremony on 8 December 2025,” the response continued.
The note described the move as a “friendly gesture” and expressed regret for any inconvenience.
“It was on the basis of that friendly gesture from the Government of the Republic of Ghana that Ms Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata was commissioned. The request by Namibia was never out of disregard for our excellent bilateral relations, but based on the positive response to our bilateral request. Any inconvenience that may have occurred is deeply regretted,” it read.
Questions over diplomatic protocol
Critics say the incident raises serious questions about Namibia’s compliance with international diplomatic procedures. Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) sets out the rules on agrément, requiring that the sending state obtain the receiving state’s consent for the appointment of heads of mission. The receiving state is not obliged to give reasons for refusal.
Ghana is relying on Article 4 to argue that Namibia should not have proceeded with commissioning Nghituwamata before formal agrément had been granted.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah described the move as “highly unusual and undiplomatic.” He said that relying on a text message instead of formal written channels sidesteps established procedures under the Vienna Convention and raises questions about adherence to diplomatic protocol.
“Such actions also undermine transparency and good governance and risk damaging Namibia’s international reputation, as they suggest tolerance for procedural shortcuts in handling high-level appointments,” Kamwanyah added.
Minister Ashipala-Masavyi denied having seen the note verbale from Ghana or being aware of the matter when contacted by Namibian Sun last weekend.
Presidency clarifies appointments
Yesterday, the Presidency issued a statement announcing all designated heads of missions at once, including Nghituwamata, following reports that several ambassadorial appointments had been made without prior public announcement.
“It was therefore considered appropriate to issue a collective announcement once the process had sufficiently progressed. It is also noteworthy that a number of heads of mission have already publicly shared their diplomatic engagements, including the presentation of their letters of credence, through official channels and social media platforms,” a statement by press secretary Jonas Mbambo said.
“This reflects the routine and visible nature of these deployments and underscores that there has been no intention to conceal or withhold information. The redeployments were effected last year. To suggest that such visible diplomatic engagements could be meaningfully kept ‘under wraps’ would be inconsistent with the normal conduct of international relations. Any implication of secrecy or mystery is therefore unfounded,” the statement read.
Diplomats posted without formal public communication included Veicco Nghiwete to the United Kingdom, Samuel Mbambo to Algeria, Frieda Ithete to South Africa, Gabriel Sinimbo to Tanzania, and Hopelong Ipinge to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).
The Namibian high commission in Accra described the informal step as a “friendly gesture,” taken in the context of excellent bilateral relations between Namibia and Ghana.
This explanation was contained in a note sent to the Ghanaian ministry of foreign affairs dated 16 December 2025.
Yesterday, Namibian Sun reported that Ghana had formally sought an explanation from Namibia, questioning why Nghituwamata had been commissioned without prior approval, in apparent contravention of standard diplomatic protocol.
The high commission’s note explains that, with the Namibian high commission in Accra vacant for over nine months, Ashipala-Masavyi sent a text on 5 December 2025 requesting that Ghana allow Nghituwamata to participate in the commissioning ceremony scheduled for 8 December in Namibia, while the formal agrément would follow later.
“The minister, with full regard to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations but informed by our excellent bilateral relations, engaged the Ghanaian high commissioner in Windhoek to confirm with the Ghanaian authorities whether the nominee could be included in the commissioning, with the agrément to follow later. The high commissioner indicated he would consult Accra and revert,” the note read.
According to the letter, the Ghanaian high commissioner in Windhoek confirmed the arrangement, allowing Nghituwamata to be commissioned.
“Subsequently, on 6 December, the minister received a text from the Ghanaian high commissioner stating that Accra had indicated that the nominee could be included in the commissioning ceremony on 8 December 2025,” the response continued.
The note described the move as a “friendly gesture” and expressed regret for any inconvenience.
“It was on the basis of that friendly gesture from the Government of the Republic of Ghana that Ms Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata was commissioned. The request by Namibia was never out of disregard for our excellent bilateral relations, but based on the positive response to our bilateral request. Any inconvenience that may have occurred is deeply regretted,” it read.
Questions over diplomatic protocol
Critics say the incident raises serious questions about Namibia’s compliance with international diplomatic procedures. Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) sets out the rules on agrément, requiring that the sending state obtain the receiving state’s consent for the appointment of heads of mission. The receiving state is not obliged to give reasons for refusal.
Ghana is relying on Article 4 to argue that Namibia should not have proceeded with commissioning Nghituwamata before formal agrément had been granted.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah described the move as “highly unusual and undiplomatic.” He said that relying on a text message instead of formal written channels sidesteps established procedures under the Vienna Convention and raises questions about adherence to diplomatic protocol.
“Such actions also undermine transparency and good governance and risk damaging Namibia’s international reputation, as they suggest tolerance for procedural shortcuts in handling high-level appointments,” Kamwanyah added.
Minister Ashipala-Masavyi denied having seen the note verbale from Ghana or being aware of the matter when contacted by Namibian Sun last weekend.
Presidency clarifies appointments
Yesterday, the Presidency issued a statement announcing all designated heads of missions at once, including Nghituwamata, following reports that several ambassadorial appointments had been made without prior public announcement.
“It was therefore considered appropriate to issue a collective announcement once the process had sufficiently progressed. It is also noteworthy that a number of heads of mission have already publicly shared their diplomatic engagements, including the presentation of their letters of credence, through official channels and social media platforms,” a statement by press secretary Jonas Mbambo said.
“This reflects the routine and visible nature of these deployments and underscores that there has been no intention to conceal or withhold information. The redeployments were effected last year. To suggest that such visible diplomatic engagements could be meaningfully kept ‘under wraps’ would be inconsistent with the normal conduct of international relations. Any implication of secrecy or mystery is therefore unfounded,” the statement read.
Diplomats posted without formal public communication included Veicco Nghiwete to the United Kingdom, Samuel Mbambo to Algeria, Frieda Ithete to South Africa, Gabriel Sinimbo to Tanzania, and Hopelong Ipinge to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article