"Ghanaians in Australia stay out of trouble," says High Commissioner

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The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Australia, Paul Yaw Essel says one of the responsibilities of his mission is made easier because Ghanaians in Australia stay out of trouble.

"We don't have this issue of illegal immigrants who will then fall into trouble with the law...(and require) consular cover and if they have to go to court, see how we can get them legal services and so on..."
 

Mr Essel, who is usually based in Canberra was speaking in an exclusive interview with Africa & the World in Perth, at the end of the recent Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting. He said since his arrival in Australia two years ago as head of Ghana's mission, he has not encountered any such problem.

Mr Essel says the absence of such issues makes easier for the High Commission to focus on safeguarding the the interest of Ghana and to encourage citizens in the Diaspora to contribute to the development of their home country.

He said Ghana is a profitable destination for Australian investors because it has been a recognised democracy since 1992 with multiple problem-free elections. "Ghanaians are friendly... we have well-regulated arbitration(system), there is a secure and attractive investment climate..."

Regarding the "tyranny of distance" between Australia and Ghana, the High Commissioner said investors are less concerned about distance as a result of effective modern communication systems and networks. "The distances that kept people apart some years back are really no obstacles," he said.

Current Australian investment in Ghana are mostly in mining services including exploration, drilling and engineering.

Listen to the attached interview in audio

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Paul_Yaw_Essel.mp3