AFTER seven unforgettable years in Ghana, Lebanon’s Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr Maher Kheir, prepares to close a chapter written in the language of friendship, rhythm and poetry.
His departure is not merely a diplomatic transition — it is a farewell to a land that spoke to his soul in colours, sounds and silences.
In the heart of Accra, he found more than colleagues and protocols; he found children whose eyes gleamed like stars, mothers whose strength carried the weight of love, and a people whose warmth rewrote his understanding of belonging.
Now, as he prepares to leave, he carries Ghana with him — not as a memory, but as music that will continue to echo in his poetry and in his heart.
In this exclusive interview, he reflects on education, humanity and the mysterious ways in which Ghana became a verse that will never end.
Question:
Why did the Lebanese Embassy take special interest in tertiary education in Ghana?
Answer:
Education has always been a bridge between nations and communities. The Lebanese Embassy recognised that investing in tertiary education was not only a contribution to human capital development in Ghana but also a way to strengthen the long-standing friendship between the Lebanese and Ghanaians.
Ghana, like Lebanon, is a nation that values learning and intellectual growth. Lebanon itself has long been known as a land of education and enlightenment — the first law school in the world was founded in Beirut, a city that has always celebrated knowledge as a pillar of civilisation.
This shared belief in the power of education made our commitment in Ghana both natural and deeply meaningful.
By supporting promising students, we sought to empower future leaders who would contribute to Ghana’s progress and to the shared values of excellence, resilience and cooperation that unite our peoples.
Q: Did the Embassy realise the impact of their investment in education?
Ans:
Yes, absolutely. Over the years, we have witnessed remarkable success stories from beneficiaries of the Lebanese Scholarship Programme. Many of them have graduated with distinction and are now thriving in their professional fields — law, journalism, business and diplomacy.
Seeing these young men and women grow into confident, capable leaders has been deeply rewarding. It reaffirmed our belief that education is the most sustainable and meaningful form of partnership.
Q: What other projects did the Embassy embark on?
Ans:
Beyond education, the Embassy has been active in several areas — cultural diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and community engagement.
We organised numerous cultural events to promote dialogue and understanding within Ghana’s multicultural landscape, including the annual Francophonie Festival and artistic collaborations that highlight the shared heritage of diversity.
The Embassy also provided support to social initiatives in health and youth development, always with the aim of giving back to the Ghanaian society that has warmly embraced the Lebanese community for decades.
“Culture and education are not luxuries — they are the foundations of lasting friendship between nations.”
Q: Any regrets during your tenure in office?
Ans:
No regrets — only gratitude. Of course, there are always more things one wishes to accomplish, but I am deeply thankful for the cooperation and goodwill that made our initiatives possible.
Serving in Ghana was an honour and a privilege. The friendships and experiences gained here will continue to inspire me long after my mission has ended.
“Diplomacy is not only about policies — it is about people, trust, and the invisible bridges that endure beyond borders.”
Q: You are often described as the “Poet of Ambassadors” — or perhaps “Ambassador of Poets.”
Your poetry collections have been translated into several languages, and you have presented poetry in an avant-garde theatrical form on international stages, including the Sydney Opera House. Did Ghana add anything new to your poetic imagination?
Ans:
Ghana has left a profound imprint on my poetic soul. Every country has a rhythm — and Ghana’s rhythm is unlike any other. It beats softly in the drums at dusk, in the laughter of children running barefoot after the rain and in the golden calm of the evening sky over Accra.
As a poet, I found in Ghana a new cadence — a dialogue between silence and sound, between history and hope. The warmth of its people, the dignity in their simplicity, and the spiritual harmony that seems to connect earth and sky — all these became part of my inner music.
I believe poetry is not only written with words, but with encounters, emotions and places that awaken our deeper humanity. In that sense, Ghana did not just inspire new verses — it taught me to listen differently, to feel the pulse of life in a gentler, more universal rhythm.
“In Ghana, poetry does not need to be spoken — it lives in the air, in the colours, in the quiet grace of its people.”
Ques: How will you describe your stay in Ghana, and how will you miss the people of Ghana?
Ans:
My stay in Ghana has been one of the most beautiful chapters of my diplomatic journey — a time filled with warmth, discovery and human connection.
I will deeply miss the light in the eyes of Ghanaian children — eyes that shine with stars of hope and dreams for a brighter future. I will miss the sight of hardworking mothers carrying their children on their backs with grace and strength that speak of love beyond measure.
I will miss the rhythm of daily life, the sincerity in every smile, and the calm dignity that defines the Ghanaian people. Ghana taught me that kindness is a universal language, and that true wealth lies in the generosity of spirit.
“I will miss the children’s eyes shining with hope, and the mothers’ strength that carries a nation’s heart.”
Ghana will forever remain a part of me — not as a posting I once held, but as a home I carry in my heart. I leave, but my soul still lingers between the drums of Ghana.
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