Govt would encourage Australian investors to Ghana - JAK

Accra, Aug. 26, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said the Government would endeavour to attract mining companies and other investors from Australia to Ghana to enable them to access the African, European and United States markets.

He said with the congenial investment climate in Ghana, the investors would have an easy access to exports their products to these markets at much reduced cost than their operations in Australia. President Kufuor made the call when he received the Letter of Credence of Mr Jonathan Richardson, Australian High Commissioner in Ghana at the Castle, Osu.

He said many Ghanaians resident in Australia would take advantage of the establishment of the Australian High Commission to undertake joint ventures with their Australian counterparts to boost trade and other economic ventures between both countries.

Mr Richardson said the ceremony marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between both countries because it was the first time since 1985 that Australia had had a High Commissioner resident in Accra.

"The re-opening of our High Commission in Ghana is one of only a few occasions in recent years that Australia has opened a new diplomatic mission. As such it represents a vote of confidence in Ghana and in the future potential of Australian-Ghanaian relations", he said.

Mr Richardson pledged the commitment of the High Commission to foster private sector linkages between the two countries to make Ghanaians better acquainted with Australia, what if offered and also help Australians understand Ghana and the opportunities available in the Country.

Australia first established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1957 and established a resident High Commission in Accra the following year but it was closed down after the overthrow of the Second Republic in 1972.