Mona-Helen Quartey: Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy presents credentials to President Mattarella
Ghana’s newly appointed Ambassador to Italy, Mona-Helen Kabuki Quartey, has formally assumed her diplomatic duties after presenting her Letters of Credence to the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella at an official ceremony held at the Quirinale Palace in Rome.
The ceremony, which took place on Thursday, February 19, marks the formal commencement of her tenure as Ghana’s representative to the Italian Republic and signals what both sides describe as a renewed push to deepen bilateral ties.
In a press release issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Rome, the occasion was described as unfolding “with a forward-looking perspective on the relations between Africa and Europe”. The statement noted that the meeting between the Ambassador and President Mattarella “marks the formal beginning of the Ambassador’s diplomatic mission in Italy and opens a new phase in the consolidation of relations between Italy and Ghana, countries bound by long-standing ties characterised by dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect.”
During discussions held in what the statement characterised as a highly cordial atmosphere, both sides reaffirmed what they termed the deep bonds of friendship between the two countries and expressed a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration across political, economic, cultural and multilateral platforms.
The Embassy underscored Italy’s importance as “a strategic European partner for Ghana”, while also describing Accra as “a reliable and authoritative counterpart for Rome in West Africa—a region of crucial geopolitical importance and central to the sustainable development prospects of the African continent.”
Economic diplomacy featured prominently in the talks, with particular attention given to expanding trade and investment in energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, education and technological cooperation. Ghana, the statement said, is “one of the most dynamic economies in Sub-Saharan Africa” and is keen to leverage Italian expertise in manufacturing, agri-food production and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The cultural and tourism sectors were also highlighted as areas with untapped potential, with Italy viewing Ghana as a growing market and a gateway to the wider West African sub-region.
The dialogue further touched on Ghana’s domestic development priorities. According to the statement, both sides reflected on the country’s reset agenda, which includes the infrastructure “Big Push” and the “24-hour Economy” as flagship programmes designed to stimulate growth and productivity.
On global matters, the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in addressing pressing international challenges, including security, migration, climate change and sustainable development. The statement emphasised their support for effective multilateralism and stronger engagement between the European Union and the African continent.
Describing the credential ceremony as more than a diplomatic formality, the Embassy stated that the presentation “represents not merely a formal act, but a symbolic moment of renewed diplomatic momentum.”
It added that the step “confirms the determination of both nations to intensify political dialogue and to translate their shared aspirations for inclusive development into concrete initiatives capable of generating opportunities for businesses, institutions, and citizens alike.”
