Ghana–Austria Bilateral Relations

Ghana and Austria have enjoyed close and friendly bilateral relations, with both countries taking steps in recent years to further enhance and deepen their cooperation.

In 2018, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo participated in the High-Level Forum Africa–Europe in Vienna, and in 2019 he attended the R20 Austria World Summit, also in Vienna. On both occasions, President Akufo-Addo held bilateral talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.

In 2010, the former President of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Ms. Barbara Prammer, paid an official visit to Ghana. During her visit, she held several key meetings with then President John Evans Atta Mills and Foreign Minister Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni. This was the highest-ranking visit from Austria to Ghana and coincided with the centenary of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

Trade between Ghana and Austria has grown steadily in recent years. In 2018, trade volume between the two countries amounted to 40 million euros. Ghana is a major exporter of cocoa beans to Austria, while importing machinery from Austria.

Defence and Security Cooperation

In January 2015, Ghana and Austria signed a bilateral agreement allowing officers of the Austrian Armed Forces to conduct courses on humanitarian assistance for political advisors at the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre in Accra. This formed part of Austria’s cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Development Cooperation

Several Austrian NGOs have made significant contributions to development projects in Ghana, supporting various sectors including education, health, and community development.