The Organising Committee of the Ghana–Australia Multicultural Trade & Investment Forum 2026 has announced that James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, has accepted an invitation to serve as Special Guest of Honour at the upcoming forum scheduled for 19–20 August 2026 in Sydney, Australia.

His acceptance is being described as a significant milestone in the evolution of the Forum into a leading bilateral platform for trade, investment and diplomatic engagement between Ghana and Australia, as stated in a press release to announce his invitation.

It also underscores the Government of Ghana’s commitment to strengthening international relations, expanding trade frontiers, attracting foreign direct investment, and deepening ties with the Ghanaian diaspora in Australia, the statement noted.

Held under the theme “Building Bridges in Trade, Tourism, Agriculture, Culture and Investment,” the Forum is expected to bring together more than 500 high-level participants. These will include government ministers, diplomats, chief executives, institutional investors, multinational corporations, tourism executives, entrepreneurs, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and diaspora leaders.

Discussions will focus on unlocking sustainable economic opportunities and fostering long-term cooperation between the two nations.

The Organising Committee also confirmed the anticipated participation of several senior Ghanaian officials, including John Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, alongside other government representatives. Their presence is expected to strengthen government-to-business dialogue and enrich policy and investment discussions.

Beyond its conference format, the Forum is positioned as a practical business and investment marketplace. It will facilitate partnerships, business matching, technology transfer, tourism development, agricultural investment, and cultural exchange, while strengthening people-to-people relations between Ghana and Australia.

The event is being organised by Ankell Investments Ltd, an indigenous Ghanaian company registered in Australia, in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission to Australia, under the patronage of Her Excellency Doris Adzo Denyo Brese, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Australia.

According to the statement, with increasing interest from governments, investors, multinational companies and diaspora networks, the Organising Committee has extended an invitation to corporate institutions, development agencies, airlines, hospitality groups, telecommunications firms, mining companies, agribusinesses and tourism operators to partner with the Forum.

Strategic partners will benefit from extensive visibility and engagement opportunities, including branding across conference platforms, exhibition spaces, networking events, media coverage, and digital campaigns. The initiative is designed to position participating organisations before influential decision-makers while fostering meaningful cross-border commercial relationships.

As Ghana and Australia continue to deepen diplomatic and economic cooperation, the 2026 Forum is expected to serve as a catalyst for innovation, tourism expansion, agricultural collaboration and inclusive multicultural engagement.

"The inclusion of Hon. James Gyakye Quayson as Special Guest of Honour further elevates the profile of the Forum, reinforcing its position as a premier platform for advancing Ghana–Australia relations," noted in the statement.

The Organising Committee has therefore encouraged stakeholders across government, business and development sectors to participate in what is being described as a landmark opportunity to shape the future of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.