The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, has reaffirmed her country’s commitment to continued collaboration with Ghana in the area of security, with a shared resolve to stabilise the Gulf of Guinea region.

She noted that Italy would support this collaboration through bilateral, multilateral, and European partnerships with Ghana in pursuit of that objective.

The Ambassador made this known while proposing a toast at a reception held at her official residence in Accra last Friday (May 30, 2025), to mark Italy’s National Day.

The event was attended by a large number of members of the Italian community, ministers of state, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Ambassador Ranalli stated that Italy and Ghana share profound and multifaceted ties, and to deepen those ties, the Italian government had recently included Ghana in the “Mattei Plan”—a strategic and tangible framework designed to enhance Italy’s cooperation with African nations on a peer-to-peer basis.

Under the plan, Italy’s projects in Ghana focus on agribusiness, particularly a “Strengthening Agri-Food Ecosystems” partnership with the private sector in the Volta Region, and an extensive health initiative aimed at strengthening hospital infrastructure and improving access to quality healthcare.

“The framework also includes the Digital Flagship Initiative, which aims at designing bankable, multi-year initiatives focused on digital connectivity and public infrastructure, and several initiatives on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with Ghanaian institutions, universities, and non-governmental organisations,” said Ambassador Ranalli.

Touching again on security, she announced that the Italian Navy ship Bettica, currently on a patrol mission in the Gulf of Guinea, is scheduled to visit the Port of Tema in mid-June this year.

Providing an overview of the bilateral relations between Italy and Ghana, the Ambassador reported that trade between the two countries had reached €800 million in 2023, and €700 million in 2024.

She recalled Italy’s early support for Ghana’s independence and its integral role in the country’s modernisation journey.

“Notable examples include the construction of the Akosombo Dam and the establishment of the Tema Oil Refinery by Italian companies. The tradition of cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and construction continues to this day, with Italian firms also playing a key role in agriculture,” she said.

Ambassador Ranalli further noted that numerous Italian families had settled in Ghana over the past century, contributing significantly to the country's economic development. Likewise, she said, Italy continues to benefit immensely from a vibrant, active, and well-integrated Ghanaian community, whose cultural and entrepreneurial influence enriches Italian society.

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emilia Arthur, who represented the Government of Ghana at the reception, paid glowing tribute to the Ambassador.

She said since Ambassador Ranalli’s arrival in Ghana in December 2024, her dedication to strengthening Ghana–Italy relations had been evident.

“We have already witnessed significant engagements in our relations; your commitment is making a difference, and we are eager to collaborate further to deepen the warm and long-standing ties,” she said.

The Minister also praised Italy’s active participation in multilateral initiatives and its support for European Union programmes in Ghana, describing them as clear testimony of Italy’s strong belief in international cooperation.

Among the dignitaries present at the reception was the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV.