The Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has placed the fight against violent extremism at the forefront of Ghana’s agenda.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, on Monday, November 24, 2025, she proposed a regional meeting aimed at addressing growing threats in West Africa, emphasizing extremist networks exploit poverty, exclusion, and political instability.
“Ghana is proposing a focused meeting on violent extremism to tackle the root causes of insecurity through regional unity and community-based peacebuilding,” she said.
The Vice President highlighted Ghana’s commitment to a stronger AU–EU partnership, grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and collective prosperity.
She reaffirmed the vision endorsed at the 2022 AU–EU Summit for a balanced and purposeful partnership between the continents, stressing Ghana’s readiness to contribute to Africa’s transformation agenda, strengthen the African Governance Architecture, and support regional economic communities.
On domestic priorities, the Vice President outlined Ghana’s progress in restoring stability and confidence, noting that inflation has fallen and the cedi has stabilised following fiscal and public financial reforms.
She detailed three core areas of focus for Ghana’s 2026 agenda:
- Infrastructure and connectivity to drive economic growth and development.
- Jobs and human capital to secure inclusive prosperity,
- Maintaining stability and confidence in governance and financial management.
Highlighting the African Peace and Security Architecture, Professor Opoku-Agyemang praised it as “one of our continent’s major achievements” while warning that climate shocks, political tensions, and piracy are deepening humanitarian crises, requiring urgent action.
She also welcomed the European Union’s Global Gateway Initiative and its €150 billion pledge for Africa’s sustainable development, particularly in green energy and digital services.
She noted Ghana’s priority projects, including the hydro dam and Wongbo water facility, and called for support for an AU waiver on offshore patrols to strengthen maritime security.
On justice and human rights, she announced Ghana’s intention to table a UN resolution on reparations, recognising the trans-Atlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity, inviting European partners to join as co-authors.
Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, she reminded leaders: “There can be no development without security, no security without development, and neither without respect for human rights.”
The Vice President urged Africa and Europe to turn commitments into concrete action, securing peace through opportunity and advancing development through stability, noting that only a strong, cooperative AU–EU partnership can deliver lasting prosperity for both continents.
Veep Opoku-Agyemang holds constructive talks with EU Ambassador on peace, trade and partnership
