President John Dramani Mahama, Tuesday, hosted Madam Berenice Owen-Jones, the outgoing Australian High Commissioner, after completing a four-year duty tour of the country. 

During their meeting at the Credentials Hall of the Presidency in Accra, President Mahama underscored that Ghana and Australia had had historical ties dating back to the early years of the nation’s independence 

He said shortly after Ghana’s independence, Australia was among the first countries to recognize a newly independent country.  

He commended Madam Owen-Jones for successfully completing her four-year duty tour of the nation; stating that Ghana appreciated the work that she did in the country during her duty tour. 

He noted there was a lot of room for cooperation between the two nations because they had shared values; stating that both nations were members of the Commonwealth.  

He said Australia was a middle power and they held common positions in a lot of resolutions that were passed in the United Nations, which gives the common ground for them to continue to cooperate.  

He noted that Australia had comparative advantages in many areas that already Ghana had benefited from, especially the extractive industry.  

The President said there were many Australian companies that were active in Ghana’s mining sector; declaring that there were two things that they want to continue working on which were started in the tenure of Madam Owen-Jones, which they hoped her successor would continue.  

He cited adding more value to Ghana’s minerals instead of exporting the raw minerals doing part of the processing locally before they export and technology transfer. 

He said there were several Ghanaians working in the mining industry in Australia, which was for the mutual benefit that they were all enjoying.  

President Mahama said aside from that, Australia had a comparative advantage when it comes to agriculture. 

He said agriculture and agro-processing was another area that they could continue to build on their relationships.  

The President reiterated the need for an increase in trade and investment between Ghana and Australia. 

On her part, Madam Owen-Jones said Ghana had been an anchor for Australia’s engagement across West Africa. 

She extended her condolences to the President, the Government and People of Ghana on the loss of lives during the June 29th flood disaster that severely hit the Great Accra Region, leading to the lost of 13 lives with six persons still missing.