From Accra to Vienna: Celebrating Ghana’s 69th Independence In Vienna with Diplomatic Community & Diaspora

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Government Officials, Business leaders, Academia, Traditional Leaders, Members of the Ghanaian community and friends of Ghana gathered in Vienna on 6^th and 7^th March, 2026 respectively, for events hosted by H.E. Matilda Alomatu Osei-Agyeman, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Vienna to commemorate the 69^th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence under the theme “Building Prosperity and Restoring Hope.”

The celebrations commenced with a well-attended diplomatic reception held on 6^th March, 2026, at the Ballroom of the Grand Hotel Vienna, which brought together over 100 distinguished guests, including representatives of the Government of Austria, Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Community, Business partners, Academia and Members of the Ghanaian community in Austria. The reception also marked the first official Independence reception organised since the establishment of Ghana’s resident Mission in Vienna.

The event was graced by H.E. Regina Rusz, Director-General for International Cultural Affairs at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, who attended as the Guest of Honour. In her address, Ambassador Alomatu Osei-Agyeman reflected on Ghana’s historic independence on 6^th March 1957, that inspired liberation movements across the African continent and laid the foundation for Ghana’s enduring commitment to freedom, justice and democratic governance. She further highlighted the Government of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama’s policies including the “Reset Agenda”, which focuses on restoring economic stability, strengthening institutions and rebuilding public trust, as well as the “Accra Reset”, which reflects Ghana’s broader continental outlook aimed at promoting deeper regional integration and stronger African leadership in global affairs.

The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Ghana and Austria, which dates back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964. She noted that cooperation between the two countries continues to deepen across priority areas including renewable energy, green industrialisation, education, infrastructure development, healthcare and waste-to-resource technologies.

She further recalled recent milestones in the bilateral relationship, including the opening of Austria’s resident Embassy in Accra in 2024 and the visit of State Secretary H.E. Sepp Schellhorn of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs to Ghana in February 2026, for the Second Session of the Ghana–Austria Political and Economic Consultations. The visit also saw the inauguration of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Accra, the second Austrian Cultural Forum on the African continent.

In response, H.E. Regina Rusz congratulated the Government and people of Ghana on the occasion of their Independence Anniversary and indicated that Austria places high value on its partnership with Ghana, despite the geographical distance between the two countries, the relationship is anchored in shared principles such as multilateralism, respect for international law, and the belief that dialogue is essential for peaceful coexistence, and that these relations have been strengthened significantly through sustained diplomatic engagement and mutual cooperation.

She reiterated that recent developments have further deepened bilateral ties citing the establishment of Austria’s Embassy in Accra, exchange of high-level visits and the recent visit to Accra by the State Secretary, H.E. Sepp Schellhorn of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs as important steps in advancing bilateral cooperation.

She indicated that cultural diplomacy held a very important dimension in the partnership between the two countries with several Ghanaian artists such as Amoako Boafo, Ibrahim Mahama and El Anatsui contributing significantly to the cultural exchange between the two countries and expressed that their work highlighted the growing influence of Ghanaian contemporary art in international cultural spaces. The Director-General reaffirmed the Government of Austria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

In a similar spirit of celebration, the H.E. Alomatu Osei-Agyeman also hosted members of the Ghanaian diaspora in Austria at a community event on 7^th March, 2026 organised in collaboration with the Diaspora Union of Ghanaians in Austria (DUGA) at the Vienna University of Technology. The gathering brought together Traditional Leaders, Business leaders, Academia, Students and members of the wider Ghanaian community to reflect on Ghana’s progress and discuss opportunities for deeper diaspora engagement.

The programme featured a community dialogue focusing on the Government’s Reset Agenda policies and initiatives, diaspora participation in national development, strengthening consular services and promoting business as well as investment linkages between Ghana and Austria. Ambassador Alomatu Osei-Agyeman reiterated H.E. President John Dramani Mahama’s call for Ghanaians abroad to actively support Ghana’s national renewal by contributing their expertise, investment and global networks as valued members of the Ghana’s 17^th Region.

The Embassy of Ghana in Vienna expresses its sincere appreciation to the partners and sponsors whose generous support contributed to the successful organisation of the Independence Anniversary celebrations, including the Ghana International Bank (GHIB) our gold sponsor, Ethiopian Airlines, KONEGG-TEC, Eagle Media London, Kasapreko PLC, Cocoa Marketing Company (GH) LTD and FIMA Industries

Long Live Ghana!

Long Live Austria!

Long live Ghana-Austria Relations!

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