Mona Quartey engages Ghanaian community in Italy

Ambassador-Designate to Italy, H.E. Mrs. Mona Quartey, has begun stakeholder engagements in Sicily, meeting members of the Ghanaian community and key Italian partners ahead of her formal swearing-in.

Mrs. Quartey arrived in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, where she held a series of interactions alongside Ghana’s Honourary Consul to Palermo, Mr. Francesco Campagna.

Her visit formed part of efforts to strengthen ties with the Ghanaian diaspora and deepen bilateral engagement with local institutions.

During a meeting with executives of the Ghanaian community in Palermo, the Ambassador-Designate formally introduced herself and listened to concerns affecting Ghanaians at home and abroad.

Issues raised included high duties at the Tema Port and the impact of illegal mining activities in parts of Ghana, reflecting the diaspora’s continued interest in national development matters.

Mrs. Quartey also attended an interactive exhibition by Italian artists Francesco Bellina and Stefano Liberti, which explored the effects of the climate crisis and social change on Mediterranean societies, economies, and collective memory.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, she held informal discussions with Mr. Leoluca Orlando, former Mayor of Palermo and a prominent advocate for migrant rights.

On December 15, 2025, the Ambassador-Designate and Honourary Consul Campagna participated in a conference organised by Sicindustria, the largest association of small and medium-sized enterprises in the region. The event focused on Africa’s growing business and investment potential.

At the conference, Mrs. Quartey engaged entrepreneurs and financial sector players, highlighting Ghana’s stable business environment and wide-ranging investment opportunities, as part of efforts to position the country as a preferred destination for Italian investors.

The engagements are expected to lay a strong foundation for Ghana–Italy relations once Mrs. Quartey officially assumes office.

Last week, Mrs. Mona Quartey, the Ambassador to the Vatican, H.E. Ben Assorow, paid a courtesy call on the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, as part of their introductory engagements ahead of their diplomatic duties in Rome.

The meeting offered the envoys an opportunity to formally introduce themselves and discuss areas of mutual interest between Ghana, Italy and the Vatican.

The delegation also included the spouse of the Ambassador-designate to Italy, Arch. Ian Quartey.

The engagement was first announced in a post on the official Facebook page of the Ghana Embassy in Rome.

According to the Embassy, the visit formed part of ongoing consultations as the newly appointed envoys prepare to assume their roles.