Australia to help shore up Ghana’s economy - Andrew Barnes

The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Andrew Barnes, has said the Australian government believes “the best way to help Ghana is not through aid and development assistant but through helping Ghana improve its economy.”

Accordingly, Mr. Barnes said Australia has “a lot of Australian companies working here [Ghana] in the mining sector, particularly where they work closely with communities to help develop the skills base of the local communities and employ the people in the mines.”

Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the six-year achievements of the Australian Africa Community Engagement Scheme, Mr Barnes said the Australian government will continue to provide support to Ghanaian communities to bridge the inequality gap.

“There have been life transforming projects, it’s really made a huge difference to the lives and welfare of the women and children; women and girls are going to school. … In terms of focus, they are able to give [attention] to their families instead of having to spend a lot of time walking to get water, which is often unsafe.”

Meanwhile, Water Aid Ghana has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to ensure that their resources are channeled into improving water, sanitation and health delivery in their communities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Country Director of Water Aid Ghana, Dr. Afia Zakiya lauded their partner district assemblies for their support.

“In fact, I think one of the benefits of our programme was that it was really community-driven, it was community-led, and it was based on their vision and hopes of development in their communities.

This has been one of the strongest partnerships with the district assembly. So, the Akuapem North district assembly, [as well as] all the five assemblies that we worked with was very strong in being accountable to the communities. They have also made a pledge and a commitment to… continue to be accountable and transparent with the funds …”