At 10.00 this morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience H.E. Mr. Joseph Kojo Akudibillah, ambassador of Ghana to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

H.E. Mr. Joseph Akudibillah
Ambassador of Ghana to the Holy See

Mr. Akudibillah was born on 21 January 1948 in Konongo-Odumasi, and is married with four children. He holds a diploma in nursing sciences.

He has held the following offices, among others: head nurse at the Bawku Hospital in Bawku, Ghana (1978-1998); vice director of the nursing service, Bawku Rural Eye Program, UER (1998-2000); National Coordinator for the Evaluation of Trachoma, Ministry of Health (1998-1999); National Coordinator for the National Program of Control of Trachoma, Ministry of Health (2000); independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Garu-Tempane (Constituency of the Parliament of Ghana) (2001-2004); member of the Parliament of the Economic Community of Western African States (2002-2003); deputy minister of Defence under the administration of President Kuffour (2003-2004); delegate Administrator of Budsm Co. Ltd., Bawku, Upper East Region (from 2004 to the present); Executive Director of the Kropo Charity Hospital Kumasi, Ashanti Region (from 2004 to the present).

Foreign languages spoken: English, Kusaal Twi, Mampruli, Hausa and Mori.