Today I announce the appointment of Mr Gregory Andrews as Australia's next High Commissioner to Ghana. Mr Andrews will also be accredited to Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
Australia's relations with Ghana are underpinned by our shared democratic and Commonwealth traditions, and by the strong linkages between our people. The thousands of Ghanaians who have made Australia their home and similarly, the growing community of Australians living and working in Ghana, help to enrich both nations.
Australian companies working in the extractives sector also add significant value to Ghana's economy. Australia has been pleased to support Ghana through development programs aimed at building capacity in mining, health, education and food security. Australia Awards scholarships and courses are a key part of this support and help to reinforce bilateral ties.
Mr Andrews is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was most recently Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch. He has previously served overseas as First Secretary, Australian Embassy, Beijing.
In Australia Mr Andrews has served as the Threatened Species Commissioner, Department of Environment and Energy; Senior Adviser, Office of the Minister for the Environment; Assistant Secretary, Department of Climate Change and Energy; CEO, Indigenous Community Volunteers; and Assistant Secretary, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Mr Andrews holds a Master of Arts (Foreign Affairs and Trade) from the Australian National University; and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Newcastle.
I thank outgoing High Commissioner Andrew Barnes for his contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Ghana since 2017.
