When partners build bridges: Ghana and the European Union

Ghana welcomes the latest delivery of advanced military equipment from the European Union. The deliveries bolster Ghana’s capacity to safeguard its people from security threats, and positively impact the sub-region. The equipment also sends an important political signal and partnership offer to the new administration, in recognition of Ghana’s stability and confirmed democratic credentials.

Ghanaian culture-inspired products

The European Union and Ghana have a lot in common. They both face conflict at their doorstep, and are both committed to building bridges in the face of shared challenges like international terrorism, global pandemics, or climate change. To the European Union, Ghana constitutes a preferred political partner and ally that has consistently championed multilaterism, the rule of law, and peace through regional integration.

Ghana: Anchor of Democracy and Stability

Ghana’s peaceful transfer of power in December and January presented an important lesson not just to West-Africa, but to the world over. In a region grappling with political turbulence, and a world where power balances are rapidly shifting, Ghana remains an appealing partner to European friends devoted to peace, mutual respect, and human rights.

Ghana is a self-confident and respected international partner. Its contribution to peacekeeping, dialogue and regional integration underscores its commitment to international order. That is why the European Union views Ghana not just as an economic or trade partner, or a recipient of development aid, but as a true ally in a turbulent world.

Protecting Stability, Investing in Peace

Ghanaian culture-inspired products

The advanced military equipment, worth over GHS 800M, is part of a broader GHS 10B EU commitment to strengthen peace and security across the Gulf of Guinea. Recently, the EU delivered 105 militarised vehicles, 20 motorbikes and 150 radio-communication devices, with additional equipment arriving later in 2025. EU support to Ghana’s security transcends hardware. Well over 30 programs contribute to training, border security, maritime security and mediation support, empowering Ghana’s conflict prevention capabilities, and advancing the human security of its people.

Through one of the projects (NORPREVSEC), the EU conducted 34 training sessions with 1,400 personnel from all the security agencies in the five regions of northern Ghana. The EU provided trainings on conflict prevention and risks of radicalisation to 625 paramount chiefs and queen mothers, and 140 youth. Crucially, this aligns with the EU’s philosophy of backing “African solutions to African problems.”

Lasting peace requires more than arms. It demands addressing root causes of conflict: inequalities, unemployment, and distrust. In northern Ghana, the EU is investing GHS 3.5B (€220M) to improve public services, create jobs, and empower communities. These are just some of the targets covered by the EU Global Gateway, a strategy that realizes large-scale infrastructure projects through hundreds of sustainable and quality investment projects worldwide, each developed and supported by the EU and its Member States. In Ghana, Global Gateway boosts Ghana’s ambition to become a vaccine-manufacturing hub, and improves Ghana’s energy supply.
This holistic approach—blending security with diplomacy and development—reflects a shared belief that stability cannot be sustained without opportunity.

Empowering Youth, Building Tomorrow’s Economies

If security lays the groundwork for stability, Ghana’s youth will design its future. Over 60% of Ghana’s population is under 25—a demographic brimming with talent, ambition, and untapped potential. The EU routinely engages in dialogue with students, entrepreneurs, and young activists to shape the contours of the Ghana-EU partnership.

This is no one-off, but a long-term commitment to Ghana’s future generations. Over the past five years, more than 50,000 young Ghanaians have gained skills in agro-business, e-waste recycling, and renewable energy through EU programs, while 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have received support to scale innovations—from solar-powered taxis to sustainable cocoa processing.

Education exchange opportunities like Erasmus and other scholarships offered by EU Member States enable 1,000 Ghanaian students to study at Europe’s top universities every year, fostering bonds between future leaders. These investments are not charity or wasteful spending; they are strategic steps towards Ghana’s transformation and self-reliance, cultural exchange and future collaboration.

A Partnership of Equals – here to stay

The EU-Ghana partnership is rooted in mutual respect and shared ambition. From climate resilience to vaccine production, the EU-Ghana partnership is distinctively stable, and will not unwind anytime soon.
The EU is convinced that Africa’s future is inextricably linked to its own. Our message is clear, to President John Mahama, and to the vibrant people of Ghana: Europe stands with you, and is here to stay.

Source: citinewsroom.com

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

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