Written answers

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diplomatic Representation

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he hopes to open an embassy in Ghana; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37674/20]

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sixty years ago this year, Ireland opened its first African diplomatic Mission as part of a drive to strengthen ties with African countries, especially those that had recently won their independence. Today our presence has grown to twelve Embassies across the continent of Africa, including in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa.

In 2019, the Government launched ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2025’ that sets out Ireland’s plans to strengthen our political, economic, educational and cultural partnerships with African countries and institutions. As part of the Government’s Global Ireland Initiative and building on Ireland’s long-standing engagement with Africa, this Strategy also frames an expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic presence on the continent. In particular, it commits to opening three new Embassies in French-speaking Africa by 2025. In line with this commitment a new Embassy will open in Rabat, Morocco in 2021, with two others to follow in francophone West Africa by 2025, building on our existing Mission network in the region, in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. 

Ireland’s diplomatic relations with Ghana are currently managed through our Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. In line with commitments made in the Global Ireland policy document, we are already strengthening our presence in Nigeria to enable a strengthened regional approach in West Africa, including Ghana.

Ireland and Ghana share a long and positive relationship, based on a number of cultural connections, people-to-people and economic links. This shared relationship was initially founded on the tradition of Irish missionaries working in Ghana. Today, there continue to exist close links between Ireland and Ghana, including through a number of Irish businesses operating in the country. As well as positive bilateral relations, Ireland and Ghana also share a number of priorities at the international level, including on issues such as decolonisation, and a commitment to regional integration.  I look forward to continued and strengthened relations with Ghana as part of our commitment to step up our engagement in West Africa over the coming years.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.