Australia has appointed a new High Commissioner to Ghana, with the career diplomat also receiving non-resident accreditation to eight other West African nations, the Australian Government has announced.
Australia has appointed a new High Commissioner to Ghana, with the career diplomat also receiving non-resident accreditation to eight other West African nations, the Australian Government has announced.
Ms Keara Shaw, a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will take up the post as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Ghana, with additional accreditation to Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The appointment was announced on July 5 by Senator Penny Wong, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, who highlighted the strong relationship between the two Commonwealth nations.
“Australia and Ghana share a strong relationship, underpinned by Commonwealth ties and people-to-people connections,” the Minister said.
Ms Shaw, who has previously served overseas in Indonesia and Zimbabwe, and as Acting High Commissioner to Mauritius, takes over from outgoing High Commissioner Berenice Owen-Jones, who has served in the role since 2022.
The Australian Government emphasised Ghana’s importance as a partner in the region, noting that “Ghana’s stability and leadership make it an important partner for Australia”.
“Our countries are strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, the resources sector and climate-resilient agriculture. We continue to work closely in partnership with African nations to promote stability and security across the region,” the statement added.
The outgoing High Commissioner, Berenice Owen-Jones, was thanked for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Ghana since her appointment in 2022 . Australia re-established its High Commission in Accra in 2004, having previously maintained a diplomatic presence in Ghana from 1957 to 1985.
