Mr Josef Franz Schellhorn, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, has reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to deepening political, economic and cultural cooperation with Ghana.
He described Ghana as a strategic partner in promoting peace and stability.
Speaking at the official opening of the Second Session of the Ghana-Austria Political Consultations in Accra, Mr Schellhorn said Ghana’s role as a stable democracy and champion of regional peace made it a key partner for Austria in addressing evolving global security challenges.
He assured that Austria was committed to expanding engagement beyond dialogue to include practical, technical and institutional cooperation, particularly in peacebuilding and security.
Mr Schellhorn noted that Austria was a strong supporter of multilateral engagement and continued to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with Austrian and Ghanaian peacekeepers serving side by side in various missions.
He highlighted collaboration between Austrian experts and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in capacity building for conflict prevention, mediation and security sector reform, as well as cooperation with the Ghana Armed Forces in specialised training initiatives.
On the economic front, the Austrian State Secretary said Austrian companies increasingly recognised the enormous potential of Ghana’s dynamic economy and growing middle class.
He identified renewable energy, infrastructure development, waste management, water systems and green technologies as key sectors where Austrian expertise could support Ghana’s development objectives while creating mutually beneficial investment opportunities.
Mr Schellhorn also underscored the importance Austria attached to cultural diplomacy, describing culture as a core pillar of Austria’s international engagement.
He referenced the official opening of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Accra as a milestone that reflected Austria’s long-term commitment to Ghana and the sub-region.
He said the Forum would serve as a platform for sustained cooperation, creative exchange and people-to-people connection, strengthening mutual understanding between the two countries.
Mr James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the consultations as another significant step in advancing the longstanding friendship between Ghana and Austria.
He said relations between the two countries, established in 1960, had been characterised by mutual respect, solidarity and a shared commitment to peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
Mr Quayson noted that the partnership had flourished through sustained political dialogue, expanding economic engagement, development cooperation and mutual support within multilateral institutions, including the United Nations.
He commended Austria for the recent opening of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Accra, describing it as a significant addition to the bilateral architecture and a demonstration of Austria’s commitment to deepening people-to-people engagement.
The Deputy Minister also referred to development projects in Ghana financed through Austrian concessional loans, including the upgrade of critical highway infrastructure and water extension projects, which he said had contributed to improving connectivity and enhancing water supply in beneficiary communities.
He acknowledged concerns relating to some aspects of the projects, particularly financial matters, and assured the Austrian side that the Government of Ghana was engaging relevant stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues in a timely and transparent manner.
Mr Quayson expressed confidence that the consultations would further consolidate cooperation frameworks and enrich the Ghana-Austria partnership in the years ahead.
Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman, Acting Coordinating Director in charge of Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the meeting as an important milestone in the cordial relations between the two countries spanning more than six decades.
He said Ghana-Austria relations had been strengthened through high-level visits, sustained political dialogue and the signing of key agreements and memoranda of understanding across several sectors.
Ambassador Agyeman noted that the official opening of the Austrian Embassy in Accra in 2024 had further deepened diplomatic interaction, facilitated closer institutional collaboration and strengthened economic engagement between the two countries.
He said the second session of the Political Consultations provided a structured and predictable mechanism for both sides to review cooperation, exchange perspectives and align positions on bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest.
The consultations covered bilateral relations, including political, economic and trade matters, status of investments, sectoral cooperation in health, education and digital technology, as well as regional and multilateral issues, including developments in the Sahel and cooperation at the United Nations.
The two sides expressed optimism that the deliberations would yield meaningful outcomes and further strengthen the enduring partnership between Ghana and Austria.
Source: GNA
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