Women And Alcohol Are Tricks Foreign Diplomats Use - Rashid Pelpuo

The Deputy Majority Leader, Rashid Pelpuo, has told Citi News public officers must know there are no jokes or cursory remarks in diplomacy. He warned that government officials needed to be keenly aware of their flaws and weaknesses which could easily give them away. He was very specific in describing certain situations that raised red flags for Ghanaian government officials. �If you are questioned about an MP or any government official about something that is not already in the public domain that is another red flag you cannot cross. Most people divulge information to others without knowing how serious it is. �One of the tricks being used in the world of diplomacy is either, a woman or alcohol, in conversing around the areas one might be most interested in. �If you are somebody who has a lot of interest in women you can have somebody who would break the ice and start talking about women and the next thing you know, you might have said something you would not ordinarily say. �Insist that what is put in the public is the conversations that you have. If you go beyond your personal relationship with the president, perhaps something he tells you in secret, you cannot divulge that to another person�. Meanwhile, the Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is advocating an orientation programme for public office holders especially MPs and ministers on how to interact with foreign mission staff. According to her, swearing Oaths of Office and Secrecy is clearly not enough in the face of the latest leak of confidential cables on confidential information public officers shared with embassy staff by the international whistle blower website Wikileaks. The Weija MP told Citi News that all public office holders must be schooled on what is in the interest of the nation and how not to hurt the nation with unguarded comments. �It is important that all government officials and civil servants go through that orientation so that they know what to say and what not to say. �We must be aware that these are people who are protecting their interests, they are very friendly and you could be caught off-guard so we need some kind of security training as well.�