To promote communication and collaboration between Ghana and Sweden, a new Honorary Consulate of Sweden has been established in Accra.
Additionally, the Consulate will encourage foreign investment in Ghana's transportation and renewable energy industries.
Nickie Akosa, the Honorary Consul General of Sweden, was introduced during the ceremony to open the consulate.
Recent Consulate
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, and ECOWAS, Carl Michael Gräns, spoke at the event, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and some business figures. He said it was crucial for Sweden to be well represented in Ghana given the nation's significant political and economic influence in West Africa.
He pointed out that Ghana and Sweden have had cordial diplomatic ties ever since President Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana to freedom in 1957.
"More recently, we recall the significant visit by the Swedish trade team led by Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Victoria, in 2014. The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre is a centre of regional and international excellence for peacekeeping and the promotion of peace, which keeps the spirit of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, alive. It is supported by Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, SIDA, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy, FBA.
Additionally, he said that one of the most significant markets for Swedish import and export was Ghana. "I'm glad to see some of you here today, and Ghana's reputation as a business-friendly nation is strong, turning Ghana into a West African trade hub not just for major multinational corporations like Twitter but also for the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, or AfCFTA," he said.
strong commercial ties
Ms. Akosa expressed her appreciation for being chosen to represent Sweden in Ghana and her commitment to working to strengthen commercial ties between Ghana and Sweden.
"This is my first official position, and my goal is to increase Swedish business interest in the Ghanaian market. Some Swedish businesses have already begun operating in Ghana this year, and others want to do so as well," she said.
She said that she would cooperate with the Swedish Embassy to make sure that various economic sectors benefitted both nations.
She cited energy as one area where there might be significant interchange between Ghana and Sweden in terms of technology, information sharing, and experience because she works in the renewable energy sector.
She said that during a four-year period, Ghanaians' market access to financing had improved.
She also pledged to encourage Swedish nationals living in Ghana and to advance commerce by making sure Ghanaian businesses interested in the Swedish market also benefitted from such trade.