Remarks by HE William (Billy) Williams, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana
Australia Day Reception 25 January 2012
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Honourable Mike Hammah, Honourable
Ministers and Deputies, senior representatives of the Government of Ghana, Ambassadors,
High Commissioners, members of the diplomatic corps, Nii Mei, Naa Mei and Nananum,
distinguished, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you all once again for attending this Australia Day reception tonight in such numbers,
on the cusp of Lynette and my fourth anniversary in this wonderful country. I’m delighted to
let you know that we will be here with you for all of 2012 - the 55th year of Australia-Ghana
diplomatic relations.
Today is a very good day in Ghana – an opportunity to celebrate Australia and Ghana’s
relationship being in excellent shape. We have so many shared interests across the spectrum
of political, security, economic and social issues, strong people-to-people links and a growing
commercial engagement.
2011 featured high level visits to Australia by Vice President Mahama and Foreign Minister
Mumuni attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in
Perth in October. Separate visits by the former Education Minister Betty Mould Iddrisu and
Lands and Natural Resources Ministers Mike Hammah built a stronger partnership between
our two countries. Former Minister Mould Iddrisu was the co-key note speaker with
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd at an international forum on Africa held in Sydney.
Ghana continues to produce high levels of economic growth, making it a leader in Africa. I
congratulate Ghana on this performance and its progress towards the Millennium
Development Goals which Australia is committed to supporting. Indeed, Ghana’s economic
achievements have been recognised by its graduation to a middle income country in the
World Bank’s 2011 ranking. This progress is underpinned because of a strong commitment to
democracy, enhancing regional peace and security and a deep respect for the rule of law and
freedom of expression.
2011 was also an important year for Australian development cooperation program with
Ghana. More scholarships were awarded to Ghanaians to undertake Masters Degrees and
professional short courses in Australia. The total number of awardees now totals 59, and there
will be more each and every year in the future.
Australia is also sharing its expertise in sectors where we have experience to share, especially
in the sustainable management of natural resources, in agriculture to strengthen farmer-based
organisations and through crop and livestock research, and in child and maternal health
services in the Western Region.
I’m also very proud of our efforts in building community engagement in all of Ghana’s 10
regions. Over the past seven years, the Australian High Commission has provided more than
one million cedis to grassroots community development projects, from water and sanitation
to solar power and vocation skills development.
It has been one of the high points of my posting to meet the most extraordinary individuals
who lead this work. I saw a great example of this in Nadowli in the Upper West last year
where a women’s cooperative has developed a shea butter processing factory, generating
incomes that have provided economic independence and have transformed a community of
over 2000 thousand. This, friends, is what a partnership with a local community has achieved.
And it does not need to involve large six figure dollar amounts.
It is also an honour to welcome tonight some of Australia’s Youth Ambassadors for
Development working in Ghana. They are our best and brightest who wanted to work in
Ghana to use their skills and to make a contribution to Ghana’s development. You are all
having a life changing experience.
I am very pleased to use this opportunity to make an announcement concerning the opening
of an Australian Visa Application Centre in Accra on 8 February. The AVAC will provide a
convenient fast and accessible way for clients to apply for visas to Australia. We believe this
new service will provide intending business and other visitors to Australia with an improved
local service in support of the expanding relationship.
Australian investment and commercial engagement in Ghana continues to expand. Four new
Australian owned mines have opened or about to start production in Ghana - a reflection of
the demand for precious metals, but also the great confidence Australian companies have in
doing business here. There are also many other Australian mining and service companies
working in Ghana – some for 20 years. I’m pleased to say Australian companies have earned
a well deserved reputation as good employers, building a skilled workforce and adopting the
highest environmental and safety standards. The scale of Australian’ investment in the
African resources sector is now estimated to be at least $50 billion in actual and prospective
projects in more than 40 countries.
Minister, in a nutshell, Ghana and Australia have a strong friendship that has continued to
grow in line with our very many common interests.
In congratulating Ghana on its many achievements in economic and social progress, Australia
also wishes the country a successful general election, demonstrating once again the
democratic maturity and respect for a free and fair poll cherished by its citizens.
I now invite you all to join me in a toast to the President of Ghana, His Excellency John
Evans Atta Mills, and to the continuing peace and prosperity for the people of Ghana, and to
the enduring friendship between our two countries.