Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described Ghana’s relationship with the European Union (EU) as being at an “all-time high,” citing significant progress in trade, security, governance, climate cooperation, and regional stability.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Ghana-European Union Partnership Dialogue, the Minister welcomed delegates on behalf of the government and highlighted the transformation of Ghana-EU relations from a traditional development-focused partnership into a broad strategic alliance addressing shared global and regional challenges.
Hon. Ablakwa commended the strong commitment demonstrated by the Presidency toward strengthening ties with the EU, noting that consistent participation by senior government officials in the dialogue process reflects Ghana’s institutional dedication to the partnership.
According to the Minister, this commitment has delivered major achievements over the past year. Among the most notable milestones is Ghana’s emergence as the first African country to establish a formal Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union. He also pointed to Ghana’s successful attainment of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) sustainable timber certification and a significant increase in bilateral trade, which grew by more than one billion dollars during the review period.
The Minister also highlighted diplomatic gains made through Ghana’s leadership in advancing the United Nations resolution on reparative justice. The resolution, championed by Ghana under the African Union framework, officially recognizes the transatlantic slave trade and racialized chattel slavery as crimes against humanity.
Addressing concerns over the EU’s abstention during the UN vote, Ablakwa revealed that subsequent engagements with European partners have been marked by constructive dialogue and goodwill. He disclosed that France has committed to collaborating with Ghana to advance the objectives of the resolution, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address an upcoming virtual press conference in Accra.
He further announced that restitution efforts are already progressing, with the Dutch government presenting a catalogue of historical artifacts earmarked for repatriation. Germany has also pledged to return a number of cultural artifacts, including items originating from Ghana’s Volta Region.
“Our EU partners have demonstrated remarkable commitment to this process, and we are very pleased about the constructive nature of this dialogue,” Ablakwa said. “This approach has given our international partners the confidence to work with us on this important UN resolution. It is intended to heal wounds, bring us closer together, and create a new path forward that places historical injustices in their proper context.”
The Minister stressed that the Ghana-EU partnership is built on mutual respect and alignment with Ghana’s development priorities rather than external prescriptions. He disclosed that the government has established a centralized database to monitor all bilateral and multilateral projects on a quarterly basis, aimed at improving transparency and eliminating bureaucratic delays.
He added that EU-supported initiatives are being aligned with key national development priorities, including the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy, the Feed Ghana agricultural transformation programme, and the newly created Women’s Development Bank.
On migration, Ablakwa said Ghana is closely monitoring the implementation of the EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum. While expressing hope that the policy framework will be implemented in a humane and balanced manner, he reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to cooperating with the EU in combating human trafficking and strengthening border security.
However, the Minister strongly condemned reports of clandestine attempts by some European groups to recruit young Ghanaians for participation in foreign conflicts. He emphasized that migration should occur only through legal, regulated, and protective pathways that safeguard the rights and welfare of migrants.
The 2026 Ghana-EU Partnership Dialogue brought together government officials, diplomats, and development partners to review progress and explore new opportunities for deepening cooperation between Ghana and the European Union.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
