United States diplomat Pam DeVolder has begun her new assignment as Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, bringing years of experience in diplomacy, public engagement and cultural affairs to the position.
DeVolder’s arrival comes as Ghana and the United States look ahead to the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027, a milestone expected to provide fresh opportunities for cooperation and people-to-people engagement between the two countries.
She was formally welcomed to the U.S. Embassy mission at a reception in Accra on Thursday by Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson, who expressed confidence that her extensive diplomatic background would contribute to the embassy’s public diplomacy work.
Olson said DeVolder had accumulated considerable experience in public affairs and related diplomatic assignments in Africa, Europe and Asia. He highlighted her background in building relationships with local communities and partners, describing person-to-person engagement as an important part of the Ghana-U.S. relationship.
The Public Diplomacy Section of the embassy is responsible for a broad range of activities, including media relations, cultural initiatives, educational exchanges, engagement with programme alumni and digital communications.
Olson also recognised the work of Press Attaché Matthew Asada and Cultural Affairs Attaché Donyá Eldridge, who served as acting section chiefs during the past year, as well as other members of the public diplomacy team.
He noted that the section had been involved in major initiatives in 2026, including activities surrounding the U.S.-co-hosted FIFA World Cup and programmes marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
According to Olson, public diplomacy provides an important avenue for strengthening mutual understanding between Americans and Ghanaians through education, culture, media cooperation and other forms of engagement.
DeVolder, who previously served as Cultural Affairs Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London from 2023 to 2026, said she was honoured to take up her new posting in Ghana.
She said her time in London had given her the opportunity to interact with Ghanaian figures in the creative and cultural sectors, as well as members of the private sector. Those encounters, she said, gave her a strong appreciation for the talent and warmth of Ghanaians.
Her connection with Ghana was further strengthened during a visit to Washington, D.C., in August, where she interacted with Ghanaian diplomats and members of the Ghanaian diaspora.
Reflecting on a gathering at Howard University, DeVolder said the experience demonstrated the strength of the relationship between the people of Ghana and the United States.
The diplomat said she was looking forward to travelling beyond Accra to gain a deeper understanding of Ghana’s diverse culture, food and natural environment.
Her first trip outside the capital will take her to Kumasi, where she is expected to participate in an education fair and meet university partners and other stakeholders.
DeVolder said education, entrepreneurship, science and technology would remain among the areas of cooperation she hopes to support during her assignment.
She explained that the embassy was continuing to work with partners across Ghana to expand opportunities for Ghanaians seeking to study in the United States while developing programmes in other areas of mutual interest.
With the 2027 anniversary approaching, DeVolder said she regarded the 70-year milestone as an important moment for the bilateral relationship and pledged to contribute to efforts aimed at taking the partnership forward.
Her diplomatic career has included assignments as Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, Public Affairs Officer and Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow, Poland, and Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, Laos.
She also served in cultural and press roles at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany, and earlier worked as a Political, Economic and Consular Officer in Malawi and an Economic Officer in Cambodia.
DeVolder holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies and German from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Science degree in Ecosystem Science and Conservation from the University of Washington.
Her new assignment in Accra is expected to place her at the centre of U.S. efforts to promote cultural, educational and public engagement as Ghana and the United States prepare to mark seven decades of formal diplomatic relations.