Australia to develop Private Sector Partnership with Ghana

Accra, Sept 9, GNA - Mr Jonathan Richardson, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana on Thursday said the High Commission would create an environment where Ghanaian private businesses could interact with their Australian counterparts for investment.

Mr Richardson said his country would provide information on government policies and the business environment in both countries to enable the private sector take advantage of various investment potentials in Ghana and Australia.

Mr Richardson, who is the first Australian High Commissioner to Ghana since 1985, said this when he paid a working visit to Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence at the Defence Ministry. Mr Richardson recently assumed office in Ghana after nearly two decades of break in exchange of High Commissioners between Ghana and Australia.

The break was triggered by the closure the Ghanaian High Commission in Australia in 1980 for economic reasons. The Australian government reacted suite and withdrew its officials from Ghana in 1985.

Mr Richardson said Australians had investments in major mining firms within the country.

Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minster of Defence said the re-opening of the Australian High Commission in Ghana would foster greater bilateral relations between the two countries.

He asked the Australian government to provide assistance to enable her develop its agro forestry programme and in its food processing efforts as well as the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre.