The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has described Ghana as the best destination for investment, and therefore, has encouraged investors in Europe and elsewhere to take advantage of the good performance of the government in stabilising the economy to come and do business in the country.
She said the ability of the government to turn around the economy within some 10 months offered the nation a renewed sense of direction and confidence, as contained in the country’s recent budget which had hope for investors and partners across the world.
“Our 2026 budget for example, reflects the seriousness with which we approach both national renewal and continental partnerships,” Professor Opoku-Agyemang said.
The Vice-President was addressing the seventh AU-EU summit in Luanda, Angola, on Monday.
Event
The two-day summit which was on the theme: “Promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism,” also marked the 25th anniversary of the partnership between AU and EU.
More than 80 participants, includings heads of states and governments, heads of multilateral organisations, top government officials and diplomats from the two continents were in attendance.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, solidarity and joint action to address common challenges.
The event was co-chaired by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, who doubles as the Chairman of the AU, and the President of the European Council, António Costa.
Also present was the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres; the Chair of the AU Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Leading Ghana’s delegation was the Vice-President, who was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Office of the Vice-President, and some officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Reset Agenda
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the government’s rest agenda rests on three pillars that mirrored the priorities of the AU-EU vision for 2030.
It includes restoration of stability and confidence in the people. She said as of October, this year, Ghana’s inflation had been brought down to its lowest in four years, and that the currency had also been stabilised significantly.
“Reforms in fiscal governance, public financial management, and revenue mobilisation are strengthening our economic foundations,” she said.
The Vice-President added that the government was investing in infrastructure and connectivity, while placing jobs and human capital at the centre of the agenda.
Appreciation
Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed appreciation for the EU's €150-billion investment pledge for Africa's sustainable development in green energy transitions and digital services as well as its Global Gateway initiative.
It was an initiative launched by the EU in 2021 to help tackle the most pressing global challenges — fighting climate change, improvement in health systems, and boosting competitiveness and security of global supply chains.
She, however, called for a stronger and sustained financial, technical, and logistical support for the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Governance Architecture and various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa.
The Vice-President mentioned Ghana's other priorities to include an EU waiver on offshore patrols, changing the essential paths of the Kpong Hydropower Dam, and support for the Damongo Water Facility.
Tackling extremism
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further observed that extremist networks were exploiting poverty, exclusion and shrinking natural resources in the West Africa sub-region to carry out their activities.
She said the way forward in tackling the challenges required regional unity, a focus on the roots of insecurity, and community-based peace-building initiatives, while proposing a meeting on violent extremism.
Also, with the AU’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Reparations, coupled with Ghana’s nomination as the AU Champion of Reparations, the Vice-President said the AU was preparing to table a UN resolution to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as some of the gravest crimes against humanity.
The Vice-President urged European partners to join the AU in this endeavour as co-authors of a just future.
She commended the European Group for standing with the African Group at the UN Human Rights Council.
