Switzerland has appointed Dr Thomas Oertle as its Ambassador-designate to Ghana, Benin and Togo.

The Swiss Embassy in Accra announced the appointment on Friday, 14 August, 2026, saying Dr Oertle brings extensive diplomatic and international cooperation experience to the new assignment.

He previously served as Switzerland’s Head of Mission in Muscat, where he was responsible for Oman and Yemen.

Dr Oertle has also worked as Regional Head for Swiss International Cooperation in the Horn of Africa, based in Nairobi, with responsibility for Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

His previous positions include Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Bern.

He also served at Switzerland’s Embassy in Damascus as Deputy Head of Mission and later Chargé d’affaires, covering Syria and Iraq.

Before entering diplomacy, Dr Oertle studied molecular biology and neuroscience at ETH Zurich and the Neuroscience Center Zurich, where he obtained a doctorate in natural sciences.

Speaking about his appointment, he said he would seek to deepen Switzerland’s relations with Ghana, Benin and Togo through dialogue and engagement with governments, businesses, academia, civil society and cultural institutions.

“Diplomacy is ultimately about people. I want to listen to different perspectives, bring people and ideas together, and identify areas where Switzerland and its partners can pursue common interests,” he said.

The Swiss Embassy said its relations with the three countries cover areas including trade and investment, economic cooperation, climate action, peace and security and political dialogue.

It said Switzerland would continue to strengthen those partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests.