The High Commissioner-designate of Australia to Ghana, Keara Shaw, has presented her Open Letters to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as she begins the process towards assuming her diplomatic mission in Accra.
She arrives to succeed Berenice Owen-Jones, whose diplomatic tenure ended in July after strengthening Ghana-Australia relations, particularly in the extractives sector, where Australian companies have continued to expand their footprint in Ghana’s mining industry.
The Foreign Minister congratulated Ms Shaw on her appointment, expressing confidence that her tenure would further deepen the longstanding partnership between the two countries, which dates back to 1957 and is anchored by their shared Commonwealth ties.
High Commissioner-designate Shaw will be based at the Australian High Commission in Accra and will also be accredited to eight other West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Her diplomatic mission will focus on advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including human rights, gender equality, development, trade and investment, peace and security.
A key area expected to feature prominently during her tenure is sustainable mining, with the Foreign Minister highlighting the opportunity for Ghana and Australia to deepen collaboration in responsible mineral extraction and environmental protection.
Mr Ablakwa noted that Australian expertise and investment could complement Ghana’s efforts to address the challenges associated with illegal mining, particularly through the reclamation of degraded forests, restoration of polluted water bodies and strengthening of sustainable mining practices.
Australian companies have become significant players in Ghana’s extractive sector. Perseus Mining operates the Edikan Gold Mine in Ghana’s Central Region, which has produced more than two million ounces of gold since commercial production began and continues to contribute to Ghana’s mining economy through employment, local procurement, taxes and royalties.
Atlantic Lithium is advancing the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in the Central Region, a development expected to position Ghana as a future producer of lithium, a critical mineral increasingly important to the global clean energy transition and battery supply chains.
Azumah Resources has also established a presence in Ghana’s mining landscape through exploration and development work on the Wa Gold Project in the Upper West Region, which has the potential to support economic activity and investment in the area if developed into production.
Beyond mining, the Foreign Minister also urged stronger cooperation between Ghana and Australia in renewable energy, as both countries explore pathways towards sustainable economic development and energy security.
High Commissioner-designate Shaw affirmed Australia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Ghana on shared priorities and deepening the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
She further reiterated Australia’s support for Ghana’s Reparative Justice agenda and pledged to work closely with the Ghanaian government to advance collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Australia was among the 52 countries that abstained during the United Nations vote in 2023 that recognised the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity, but Ms Shaw has hwoever expressed support for discussions on reparatory justice and historical accountability.
Ms Shaw is a career diplomat whose service has taken her across several jurisdictions, including Zimbabwe and Indonesia. She previously served as Chargé d’Affaires of the Australian High Commission in Mauritius, with accreditation to Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros, for 18 months beginning in October 2022.
She has also worked on sensitive foreign policy portfolios, including international engagement on people smuggling, United Nations Security Council matters during Australia’s 2013–2014 term, and coordinating Canberra’s security engagement with Indonesia.
Related Posts
