  We propose a model for the QCD axion which is realized through a coupling of
the Peccei-Quinn scalar field to magnetically charged fermions at high
energies. We show that the axion of this model solves the strong CP problem and
then integrate out heavy magnetic monopoles using the Schwinger proper time
method. We find that the model discussed yields axion couplings to the Standard
Model which are drastically different from the ones calculated within the
KSVZ/DFSZ-type models, so that large part of the corresponding parameter space
can be probed by various projected experiments. Moreover, the axion we
introduce is consistent with the astrophysical hints suggested both by
anomalous TeV-transparency of the Universe and by excessive cooling of
horizontal branch stars in globular clusters. We argue that the leading term
for the cosmic axion abundance is not changed compared to the conventional
pre-inflationary QCD axion case for axion decay constant $f_a >
10^{12}~\text{GeV}$.
