By Hannah Dadzie
Ghana and Austria are expanding cooperation in peacekeeping, military training and sustainable development as both countries respond to evolving security threats and seek to unlock new economic opportunities in West Africa.
This emerged at the opening of the Second Session of the Ghana–Austria Political Consultations held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra, where officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement in security, infrastructure, renewable energy and institutional capacity building.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson said the consultations represent a critical platform for advancing a partnership that has spanned more than six decades, anchored on shared values of peaceful coexistence, respect for international law and multilateral cooperation.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960, our partnership has continued to flourish through sustained political dialogue, expanded economic engagement, development cooperation, and mutual support within multilateral institutions, including the United Nations,” Mr Quayson said.
He highlighted Austria’s continued support for Ghana’s development through concessional financing of infrastructure and water supply projects, noting that ongoing initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and access to essential services are already delivering socio-economic benefits to local communities.
“We value Austria’s partnership and the positive contribution it continues to make to Ghana’s development efforts,” he added.
Mr Quayson expressed optimism that sustained engagement under the consultative framework would strengthen cooperation across various sectors and reinforce a rules-based international order anchored on diplomacy and collective action.
He also congratulated Austria on the recent opening of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Accra, describing it as a significant addition to bilateral relations that will deepen people-to-people engagement through artistic exchange, academic collaboration and intellectual dialogue.
“We are confident that the Cultural Forum will serve as a vibrant platform for artistic exchange, academic collaboration and intellectual dialogue, thereby further enriching our cooperation, particularly in the fields of culture, education and the creative arts,” he said.
For his part, Austria’s State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Josef Franz Schellhorn, described Ghana as a key democratic partner in promoting peace and stability in the sub-region, particularly at a time when global and regional security dynamics continue to shift.
According to him, Austria’s engagement with Ghana goes beyond diplomatic dialogue to include technical and institutional cooperation in peacebuilding, with Austrian experts working closely with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre to enhance capacity in conflict prevention, mediation and security sector reform.
He added that collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces in specialised training programmes reflects a growing commitment by both countries to strengthen operational readiness for peace support missions under the United Nations framework.
Beyond security cooperation, Mr Schellhorn indicated that Austrian companies are increasingly exploring opportunities within Ghana’s expanding economy, particularly in renewable energy, waste management, infrastructure development and green technologies.
“Beyond security, economic cooperation lies at the heart of our bilateral relationship. Austrian companies increasingly recognise the enormous potential of Ghana’s dynamic economy, its vibrant private sector, growing middle class, and its ambition to position itself as a hub for innovation and sustainable development in the region,” he said.
Mr Schellhorn stressed that stronger economic engagement and business-to-business partnerships will be essential in translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible development outcomes for both countries.
“Our cooperation is not symbolic; it is political and forward-looking. Austria remains a committed and reliable partner. Together, we are shaping the next chapter of our cooperation,” he noted.
He also emphasised the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering deeper understanding between nations, noting that the Austrian Cultural Forum in Accra represents a major milestone in promoting artistic exchange, academic collaboration and people-to-people engagement between the two countries.
In a remark, Coordinating Director for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Harold Adlai Agyeman, said the consultations provide a structured mechanism for aligning positions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Ambassador Agyeman expressed confidence that sustained dialogue under the consultative framework will deepen institutional collaboration and further consolidate the longstanding relations between Ghana and Austria.
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Source:
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