Ghana and Austria have agreed to initiate the processes that would consolidate and advanced their cordial bilateral relations that exist between the two nations
The two countries have also resolve to boost the steadfast cooperation between them and continue to collaborate at all levels, particularly, toward the peaceful resolution of conflicts and in the search of global peace and security to promote sustainable development around the world.
This was made known by Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a press briefing after a bilateral engagement between Ghana’s delegation and the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer and his delegation at the Jubilee House Wednesday.
This is the first time in Ghana’s history that the Head of the Republic of Austria, the Chancellor, is visiting Ghana.
To the realisation of the agreed positions, President Akufo-Addo who address the Presidential Press Corps said their deliberations in a bilateral meeting centred on economic growth, trade and investment, support for peace and security in the West African region, climate resilience and adoption, amongst others.
The major outcome of their meeting today, according to the Ghanaian President is the affirmation of their commitment to collaborate further, and tackling emergency security threats within the West African region, particularly on issues of terrorism, border security and maritime pirates.
The two governments also resolved to work together to promote democracy in the region and reiterated firmly their mutual stands against unconstitutional change in government.
Ghana, President Akufo-Addo indicated has also called on Austria to lend support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose Secretariat is situated in Accra.
The AfCFTA intends to link 54 markets covering over 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of some $3 trillion.
By 2050, Africa would have covered an estimated 2.5 billion people and have over a quarter of the world’s working age population.
President Akufo-Addo said Investments and business opportunities offered to the Austria private sector by this infrastructure (AfCFTA), requires to link those markets more effectively are enormous.
On climate change, President Akufo-Addo said it is no secret that the menace is one of the major defining issues of this generation which no country can solve the crisis alone. “We must all do our part.”
In that regard, he told the Press Corps that Ghana and Austria had resolved to work together and take steps needed to achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The two governments also agreed that, though many countries have playing their parts, stronger and more efforts are needed to reduce emissions and to help the most vulnerable countries cope with devastating climate conditions.
“I also indicated to Chancellor Karl Nehammer that Ghana supports wholeheartedly the process of UN reforms, especially in the UN Security Council as set out on Africa’s position on UN reforms.
Base on the Ezulwini Consensus, President Akufo-Addo said the Chancellor is anxious that the matter on UN reforms should remain a priority item to the global agenda.
President Akufo-Addo solicited the support of Austria for the laudable and overdue UNSC reform, adding: “it is time to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure of the position of the UNSC represents for the nations of Africa.
As members of the United Nation Security Council, President Akufo-Addo said their two countries shared common democratic aspirations, values and collaborate on all levels in search of global peace and security.
On the issue of migration, “we have seen and continue to see high numbers of young Africans taking distressing risk across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean trying to reach a better life in Europe,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He said whiles African leaders strive to provide the youth with the right environment on the continent to enable them enhance their skills and receive the appropriate training…, “the Austrian Chancellor and his delegation assured their determination to champion the need for humane treatment of these illegal migrants as well as the protection of their human rights.”
Their discussions, according to President Akufo-Addo, also centred on the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, coupled with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world.
A menace, according to the Ghanaian President that had put African families into precarious economic difficulties and threatened to derail the developing program in most African countries in particular.
In concluding and stating other positions of Ghana in international affairs, President Akufo-Addo said “this afternoon’s meeting had further boosted the steadfast cooperation between us and Ghana will continue collaborate with Austria all all levels, particularly, toward the peaceful resolution of conflicts and in the search of global peace and security to promote sustainable development around the world.”
On the sidelines Foreign minister for Ghana Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and the Foreign minister for Austria, Alexandra Schallenberg signed the MOU on foreign cooperation.
Second, was on defence cooperation between the two countries where the Minister for defence, Dominic Nitiwul and the Foreign minister for Austria Alexanda Schallenberg signed the MOU.
