Ghana and Austria, have decided to start the procedures that would strengthen and deepen their cordial bilateral relations.
The two nations have also vowed to strengthen their long-standing collaboration and keep working together on all fronts, especially in the effort to settle disputes amicably and in the pursuit of world peace and security in order to advance sustainable development.
This was revealed by Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a news conference following a bilateral meeting between the delegations of Ghana and Austria, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, at Jubilee House, on Wednesday.
The Chancellor of the Republic of Austria is visiting Ghana for the first time in the country’s history.
Speaking to the Presidential Press Corps, President Akufo-Addo stated that their discussions in a bilateral meeting were focused on economic growth, trade and investment, support for peace and security in the West African area, climate resilience and adoption, among other things.
According to the president of Ghana, the main result of their meeting was the reaffirmation of their resolve to work together more closely and address urgent security concerns in the West African region, notably those related to terrorism, border security, and marine piracy.
They both reaffirmed their shared opposition to unconstitutional changes in administration and agreed to cooperate to advance democracy in the area.
In addition, Ghana has requested assistance from Austria for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose secretariat is based in Accra.
The AfCFTA aims to connect 54 markets with a combined GDP of almost $3 trillion and more than 1.3 billion inhabitants.
An estimated 2.5 billion people, or more than a quarter of the world’s population of working age, would reside in Africa by 2050.
As President Akufo-Addo stated, the infrastructure (AfCFTA) needed to more efficiently link those markets demands substantial investments and commercial prospects for the private sector in Austria.
On climate change, Akufo-Addo stated that it is no secret that the threat is one of the key challenges that will define this generation and that no one nation can handle the catastrophe by itself. “Everyone must play a role.”
In that regard, he informed the press corps that Ghana and Austria had made a decision to collaborate and take the necessary actions to reach the objective of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The two governments both concurred that although many nations have contributed, stronger and more concerted efforts are required to cut emissions and assist the most vulnerable nations in coping with the world’s most severe climate circumstances.
“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 in Africa’s position on UN reforms,” the President said.
Based on the Ezulwini Consensus, Nana Akufo-Addo said the Chancellor is anxious that the matter of UN reforms should remain a priority item on the global agenda.
Nana 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 Nations Security Council, President Akufo-Addo said their two countries shared common democratic aspirations, values and collaborated 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 risks across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean trying to reach a better life in Europe,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
The Austrian Chancellor and his delegation “assured their determination to champion the need for humane treatment of th illegal migrants as well as the protection of their human rights,” he said, adding that while African leaders work to create the ideal environment on the continent for youth to develop their skills and receive the proper training.
According to the President, they also discussed the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as the global consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak.
This threat has left African households in a vulnerable financial situation and threatened to stall the development of the majority of African nations.
President Nana concluded by outlining Ghana’s other positions on international issues, saying that “this afternoon’s meeting had further strengthened our steadfast cooperation, and Ghana will continue to collaborate with Austria at all levels, particularly towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts and in the search for international peace and security to promote sustainable development throughout the world.”
Alexandra Schallenberg, the foreign minister of Austria, and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the foreign minister of Ghana, signed the MOU on international cooperation off-stage.
Next, the Agreement on defence cooperation between the two nations was signed by Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexanda Schallenberg and Indonesia’s Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul.