The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
The visit celebrated the longstanding partnership between the two nations, with the High Commissioner highlighting Australia’s historical ties to Ghana, being one of the first countries to establish a mission in Accra in 1957.
With over 10,000 Ghanaians now calling Australia home, the High Commissioner underscored the vibrant people-to-people connections, emphasizing Australia’s commitment to fostering deeper cultural and economic ties.
“Our partnership transcends diplomacy; it’s about shared values and mutual aspirations,” she said.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang praised Australia’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) which has supported local communities for decades, especially empowering women and children.
She expressed Ghana’s eagerness to explore further collaboration in education, research and agriculture to advance self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
During the meeting, High Commissioner Berenice Owen-Jones highlighted Australia’s significant mining investments in West Africa, valued at $30 billion, with Ghana hosting a substantial share.
She expressed enthusiasm about Atlantic Lithium’s upcoming project in Ghana, pending parliamentary ratification of its mining license. The project promises to generate over 900 direct jobs for Ghanaians, boosting local economies.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang commended Australia’s mining expertise and called for sustainable practices that align with Ghana’s developmental goals.
Agricultural research and climate change resilience took center stage as the Australian High Commissioner highlighted the expansion of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to Ghana.
The initiative will foster collaborative research and innovation in agriculture, supporting the government’s mechanized farming agenda and efforts toward food self-sufficiency.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang welcomed this development, expressing interest in integrating ACIAR’s expertise with Ghana’s 13 agricultural research institutes.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chains and bolster its food security ambitions.
Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to community empowerment through its Direct Aid Program (DAP).
With a focus on nimble, targeted initiatives, DAP has supported women, children, and marginalized communities across Ghana for decades.
The Vice President lauded the program’s impact, particularly its role in uplifting vulnerable populations.
She called for increased grants and support to enhance local community resilience.
The meeting also touched on the two countries’ collaboration on multilateral platforms to achieve shared objectives, including gender equality, climate action, and peacekeeping.
High Commissioner Owen-Jones expressed Australia’s readiness to align with Ghana’s manifesto priorities, such as women empowerment, education, and the 24-hour economy – a concept Australia has successfully implemented in cities like Sydney.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang echoed the importance of knowledge transfer and institutional collaboration.
Both leaders pledged to strengthen partnerships in research, innovation and sustainable development.
This landmark meeting underscores the enduring ties between Australia and Ghana and their mutual commitment to fostering growth and prosperity for their citizens.
