The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Austria, Karl Nehammer, have agreed on major areas of collaboration, with a focus on improving the two nations’ existing bilateral connections.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the areas of focus included economic growth, trade and investment promotion, support for peace and security in West Africa, and climate resilience and adaptation, among other things.
This occurred during the Austrian Chancellor’s visit to Ghana, the first by an Austrian Chancellor since bilateral ties were established at the Jubilee House in Accra.
President Akufo-Addo stated in his brief remarks following the bilateral talks that “a major outcome of our meeting today is the affirmation of our commitment to collaborate further on tackling emerging security threats within the region, particularly on issues of terrorism, border security, and maritime barriers.” We have also committed to collaborate to foster democracy in the area, as well as to repeat and affirm our joint opposition to unconstitutional changes in administration.”
“Ghana has also called on Austria to lend its support to the African Continent Free Trade Area, whose Secretariat is based in Accra,” he said. The AfCFTA aims to connect fifty-four (54) economies, 1.3 billion people, and a combined GDP of around 3 trillion US dollars.”
He went on to say that “by 2050, it will cover an estimated 2.5 billion people, accounting for more than a quarter of the world’s working-age population.” The infrastructure required to connect these markets more effectively provides huge investment and business potential for the Austrian private sector.”
President Akufo-Addo went on to say that, because vulnerable countries suffer the most devastating effects of climate change, the two countries have agreed to collaborate on increasing efforts to limit global emissions toward the 1.5 degree Celsius goal, while also working together to push for the expeditious implementation of the process of UN Reforms, based on the Ezulwini Consensus, and ensure that the matter of UN reform is restored as a prior priority.
“It is past time to right the long-standing wrong that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represents for African nations,” he continued.
On migration, President Akufo-Addo decried the large number of young people, adding that “Africans are taking distressing risks across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe.” While we work to offer the ideal atmosphere for African youth to improve their abilities, obtain suitable training, have access to digital technology, and expand economic prospects.”
He stated that the Austrian Chancellor and his delegation have reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for the compassionate treatment of unlawful migrants, as well as the safeguarding of their human rights in accordance with international law, both in Austria and throughout Europe. Our conversations also focused on the threats of Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the global repercussions of the COVID 19 epidemic.
In response to the situation in Ukraine, President Akufo-Addo stated, “the reason why Ghana led the fight for the liberation of the African continent from colonialism and imperialism and became one of the five initiators of the historic Non-Aligned Movement is because of our history, which has always been against great power domination of the affairs of the world.”
As a result, he stated, “it is this same principle that led us to vote in favor of the motion condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the United Nations General Assembly, and this is a position that we continue to hold.” Great powers of any kind, including friendly ones, stomping on small nations is not something we will tolerate, and we will express our displeasure within our limited capabilities.”
According to Chancellor Nehammer, Austria will endeavor to establish an embassy in Ghana to support and develop bilateral relations.
