Ghana’s capital Accra has been rated as one of the safest cities around the world by the Australian government, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana Gregory Andrews has said.
Speaking in an interview Andrews said he chose to work in Ghana because of the country’s safety and good educational system.
“I think that a really interesting piece of data I think that Ghanaians should be proud of, the Australian government, in every country we have like a consular advice, and Accra is rated as the same level of safety as Singapore and Switzerland,” he said.
Andrews added: “There are other parts of Africa that we advise people not to travel to, and there is crime here and economic crime but one of Ghana’s real strengths I think is the strength that Ghana has religious unity, and not allowing religious extremism to divide Ghana.”
He also praised the country for conducting a peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December 2020 despite some criticism.
“And so, I think we are really blessed here that Ghanaian people are peaceful people… I think the product of Ghana’s healthy freedom of speech and Ghana’s election was very successful election, relative to many parts of the world,” he told the co-host of ABS.
“This is a safe welcoming, friendly place to be and that is why I am happy to be here with my family; my wife and children.”
Meanwhile, Andrews has advised Ghanaians to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 protocols to help contain the spread of the viral disease.
He made the appeal after embarking on an exercise at Chorkor in the Greater Accra Region to distribute free nose masks.
He wrote on Facebook: “I will sleep very well tonight after handing out hundreds of face masks and teaching people to use them safely with the help of my team and friends from BASICS International today in Chorkor. I know Australians will be happy too.”
He added: “They will be pleased that the taxes they have paid and entrusted to the Australian Government are making a difference and saving lives here in West Africa. #MaskUp not down Ghana! We can beat COVID-19 together.”
Fred Dzakpata