Dorcas Ocran (M) in a pose with Cardinal Turkson (L) and Okudzeto Ablakwa (R)
President John Dramani Mahama has made a change to a diplomatic appointment, revoking the designation of Satirieh Dorcas Ocran as Ghana’s ambassador to the Vatican City State.
The president has since directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to replace Ocran with Benedict Batabe Assorow as Ghana’s new ambassador-designate to the Vatican.
This development was confirmed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, and dated July 21, 2025.
“The President has also directed that Benedict Batabe Assorow should replace Mrs Satirieh Dorcas Ocran as the Ambassador-designate to the Vatican City State,” the letter explicitly stated.
The appointment was made in consultation with the Council of State.
Benedict Batabe Assorow is a veteran media professional and the former Managing Editor of The Catholic Standard.
His extensive experience in journalism is expected to strengthen Ghana’s diplomatic ties with the Vatican.
Assorow previously chaired the Elections Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and represented the association on the boards of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and the Graphic Communications Group Ltd.
In 2006, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI honored Assorow with a knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the highest papal honors bestowed upon lay Catholics.
MAG/VPO
Meanwhile, watch what Jane Reindorf Osei says about Ghana’s readiness for tourism investment:
