Mahama commends Australian government

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday commended the Australian government for providing scholarships to Ghanaian students since 2010.

He said: “A platform to continue to build the relationship has been created in the private sector as the Australian business community is walking the talk by investing in Ghana especially in the mining sector.”

President Mahama made this commendation when Mr William Williams, out-going Australian High Commissioner, called on him at the Castle, Osu.

The out-going High Commissioner was at the Castle to bid President Mahama farewell after his duty tour.

President Mahama said apart from being members of Commonwealth, both Ghana and Australia had similar values in terms of human right laws and respect for democracy and good governance.

Mr Williams gave the assurance that his country would continue to collaborate with Ghana in many areas of development in the coming years.

He said Ghana had made tremendous socio-economic strides and the cooperation between the two countries would be strengthened further in succeeding years.

Under the Australian Development Programme, the government of Australia since 2010 has awarded scholarships to Ghanaians to undertake postgraduate courses in Health, Agriculture, Education, Mining and Public sector Management.

Government officials have also participated in short term capacity building activities in Australia trade law, diplomacy, mining, governance in Ghana and diplomacy training.

Mr Williams is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

He has held a number of positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Director, International Media and Expos Section (2006-07), Director, Africa Section (2001-02), and Director, Olympic and Sports Section (1995-2000).

Overseas, Mr Williams has served as Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission, Pretoria (2002-06) and as First Secretary (Public Affairs), Kuala Lumpur (1990-93).

Mr Williams is a graduate of the Canberra College of Advanced Education and the Australian National University. He is married with three children.