Ambassador-designate Mona Quartey, together with senior staff of the Ghana Embassy in Italy, embarked on a successful tour of northern Italy from January 23rd to 25th, 2026.
The delegation included Deputy Head of Mission and Chancery, Kwesi Amuzu-Kpene; Investment and Tourism Officer, Kofi Bonsu; and Political and Economic Affairs Officer, Chris Ankrah. The tour began in Udine and Monfalcone, and concluded in Milan.
In Udine, the team attended presentations by PhD students, celebrating Ghanaian scholarship recipients at the University of Udine.
This initiative, facilitated through the efforts of Prof. Mills Heritage, culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Udine and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana’s Volta Region. Among the presenters was Ghanaian PhD candidate Ms. Francisca Adzaho, who showcased her research to the Board of Supervisors.
Ambassador-designate Quartey was warmly welcomed during the student presentations.
She delivered an inspiring speech, expressing gratitude to the university leadership and encouraging students to pursue excellence. She also engaged with other African students, discussing ways they could collectively contribute to Ghana and the wider continent.
The team further held in-depth discussions with the Head of International Student Relations and several professors on expanding the scholarship program to cover areas such as engineering, mathematics, cybersecurity, and agriculture—aligning with the Embassy’s goals for mutual national economic development.
The engagement was expertly coordinated by Mrs. Baron of the Research Support Division, Medical Department, University of Udine.
The Udine visit concluded with a casual lunch hosted by the delegation for the students, fostering closer engagement and personal connection.
From Udine, the team travelled to Monfalcone to visit Ghanaian workers employed at Fincantieri, a leading shipbuilding company, who had been trained at the Don Bosco Technical and Vocational Institute in Ashiaman and Sunyani, Ghana.
Ambassador-designate Quartey and Deputy Head of Mission Kwesi Amuzu-Kpene reassured the workers of the Embassy’s full support and encouraged them to reach out whenever needed.
The Ghanaian employees were pleasantly surprised by the visit, affectionately referring to Mrs. Quartey as “The People’s Ambassador.” They also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership and vision in steering the country forward.
The tour concluded in Milan, where the team engaged with Ghanaian and African business leaders contributing significantly to Ghana’s socioeconomic development. The discussions highlighted experiences, challenges, and collaborative opportunities. Ambassador-designate Quartey and her team assured the leaders of the Mission’s unwavering support and encouraged them to leverage the Embassy’s resources. The day ended with a dinner reception, fostering dialogue and strengthening networks for mutual growth.
