By Zobia Zulfqar 
Dr Thomas Oertle has been appointed Ambassador-designate of Switzerland to Ghana, Benin and Togo, bringing extensive diplomatic and international cooperation experience to the three-country assignment.
His appointment follows the completion of the four-year diplomatic tour of Switzerland’s former Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Simone Giger. During her tenure, Ghana and Switzerland strengthened cooperation in areas including governance, trade and investment, climate action, peace and security, and sustainable development.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Accra, in a statement issued on Friday, said Dr Oertle’s appointment formed part of Switzerland’s continued commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnerships with Ghana, Benin and Togo.
The new Ambassador-designate brings experience from several diplomatic and international cooperation assignments in Africa and the Middle East.
Extensive diplomatic experience
Before his appointment to the three West African countries, Dr Oertle served as Switzerland’s Head of Mission in Muscat, where he was responsible for the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Yemen.
His previous responsibilities also included serving as Regional Head for Swiss International Cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Based in Nairobi, he was responsible for Switzerland’s cooperation activities in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
Dr Oertle also held senior responsibilities within Switzerland’s development cooperation structures.
He served as Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Bern. His experience in the region also included serving as Deputy Head of Mission and subsequently Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Switzerland in Damascus.
In Damascus, his responsibilities covered Syria and Iraq, giving him experience in diplomatic engagement and international cooperation in complex political and security environments.
His appointment to Ghana, Benin and Togo therefore comes with a broad background spanning diplomacy, development cooperation and international relations.
Academic background
Before entering the diplomatic service, Dr Oertle pursued an academic career in the natural sciences.
He studied molecular biology and neuroscience at ETH Zurich and the Neuroscience Center Zurich. He subsequently obtained a Doctorate in Natural Sciences.
His scientific background adds another dimension to his professional experience, which has since focused largely on diplomacy, international cooperation and development.
Dr Oertle’s combination of scientific training and diplomatic experience is expected to support his engagement with stakeholders across the three countries.
Strengthening Switzerland’s partnerships
The Embassy of Switzerland in Accra said the new appointment reflects Switzerland’s intention to continue strengthening its longstanding relationships with Ghana, Benin and Togo.
Switzerland and Ghana have developed cooperation across several areas, including governance, economic relations, climate action, peace and security and sustainable development.
The appointment comes after the completion of Ms Simone Giger’s four-year tenure as Switzerland’s Ambassador to Ghana.
During her time in the country, bilateral cooperation expanded across several areas of mutual interest. Dr Oertle is expected to build on those engagements while developing relationships with stakeholders in Ghana and the wider region.
His responsibilities will extend beyond government-to-government relations. Modern diplomatic engagement also involves interaction with businesses, academic institutions, civil society organisations and cultural groups.
Focus on closer engagement
Speaking about his new assignment, Dr Oertle said he looked forward to strengthening Switzerland’s longstanding partnerships with Ghana, Benin and Togo.
He said he intended to pursue closer engagement and dialogue with stakeholders across government, business, academia, civil society and culture.
Such engagement is expected to provide opportunities for discussions on shared interests and cooperation in areas relevant to the three countries.
For Ghana, the appointment provides an opportunity to continue diplomatic exchanges with Switzerland and deepen existing cooperation.
Switzerland’s relationship with Ghana covers a range of economic, development and policy areas. Continued diplomatic engagement is therefore important for maintaining cooperation and identifying new areas of mutual interest.
Dr Oertle’s experience in international cooperation could also support Switzerland’s development engagement in the region.
His previous assignments in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, as well as his responsibilities covering Syria, Iraq, Oman and Yemen, have given him experience working across different political, economic and social environments.
Three-country assignment
As Ambassador-designate to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Dr Oertle will oversee Switzerland’s diplomatic engagement across three West African countries.
The three-country assignment requires coordination with governments and other institutions while supporting Switzerland’s broader foreign policy and international cooperation objectives.
His appointment also comes at a time when Ghana and other countries in the region are seeking stronger partnerships in areas such as sustainable development, investment, climate action and institutional cooperation.
Dr Oertle’s experience in these areas is expected to contribute to Switzerland’s continued engagement with its West African partners.
The Embassy said Switzerland remained committed to strengthening its longstanding partnerships with Ghana, Benin and Togo.
Dr Oertle will now take up the role with a mandate to maintain existing relationships while exploring opportunities for closer cooperation.
His appointment marks the next phase of Switzerland’s diplomatic representation in the three countries and follows the conclusion of Ambassador Simone Giger’s four-year tenure in Ghana.
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