The government of Austria is in the process of establishing an embassy in Accra, Ghana.
The announcement was made by Austrian Chancellor, Mr Karl Nehammer, who visited Jubilee House yesterday.
He said: “We are currently in the process of accessing where to open new embassies around the world. I can tell you Accra is very high on my priority list.”
According to him, establishing the embassy would certainly open new dynamics to all areas of bilateral relations between both countries.
The Chancellor, whose visit to Ghana is also to strengthen military cooperation, lauded the Ghana Armed Forces.
“I wish to laud the leading role of Ghana and its Armed Forces as the anchor of regional security in a challenging political environment.”
He indicated that part of his tour was to deepen the bilateral military cooperation between the two governments.
The other priority, he stated, was to Forster trade relations, explaining that Austria companies who would want to expand in Ghana would be assisted.
The Chancellor’s remarks were to set the tone for a lunch in his honour. He concluded by proposing a toast to long lasting friendship between Ghana and Austria.
It came out of the meeting that the government of Austria is in the good books of Ghana with its support.
Aside from security, the Jospong Group of Companies has also benefited from the Austrian government to set up factories.
The recent is an amount of money to support Jospong to produce rice in Ghana.
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO
President Akufo-Addo was pleased to receive the first Austrian Chancellor to ever visit Ghana.
He applauded him for restoring peace and stability to his country.
In the last quarter of 2021, Austria has sworn into office 3 Chancellors in two months, the last being Mr Nehammer.
Acknowledging the decades of relations between the two countries, President Akufo-Addo observed that trade ties continue to grow.
Recalling the assistance of the government of Austria to Ghana in areas of trade and investment, President Akufo-Addo mentioned a 30 million euro facility for Jospong Group of Companies to produce rice in Ghana.
He expressed hope that the discussions they had would spring up dynamic cooperation between the two countries.
MOUs
Ghana and Austria also signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) at Jubilee House yesterday.
The first was for general cooperation between the two countries. Foreign Minister for Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and the Foreign Minister for Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, signed on behalf of their respective countries.
The second MoU was on defence cooperation between the two countries. Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul signed for Ghana and Foreign Minister for Austria Alexander Schallenberg signed for his country.
