The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s role as a stabilising force in West Africa as political instability continues to engulf the sub-region.
The EU Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Rune Skinnebach, described Ghana as crucial to regional peace and emphasised the Union’s determination to strengthen security cooperation with Accra.
Speaking in Accra, Mr. Skinnebach highlighted the precarious security environment in the Sahel and its implications for West Africa, particularly following the withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali from ECOWAS under military rule. He warned that the instability posed by these juntas had created a volatile environment that demanded Ghana’s continued resilience.
“The EU has a number of instruments in that respect. We have our traditional cooperation. The most important is the security and defence initiative, which is ongoing. And we are in the process of establishing a partnership in security and defence”
His Excellency Rune Skinnebach, EU Ambassador to Ghana
Mr. Skinnebach disclosed that the EU had already delivered substantial amounts of military equipment to Ghana to enhance its security capacity. He described the move as unconventional for the Union but underscored its necessity, given the risks facing the sub-region.
“We want Ghana to remain not only an island of peace but also a stabilising factor with the Sahel region, which is characterised by a lot of instability from many actors, and not many of them are well-intended”
His Excellency Rune Skinnebach, EU Ambassador to Ghana
The EU envoy noted that even destabilising forces in neighbouring countries recognise Ghana’s relative stability, something he described as the country’s “luck.” He stressed, however, that Ghana must remain vigilant, as its stability was central to the resilience of West Africa as a whole.
Economic Cooperation and Investment Drive
Beyond security, the EU Ambassador expressed his determination to boost European investments in Ghana. He said his mission in Accra would focus not only on promoting democratic values but also on advancing shared economic interests that would benefit both parties.
“Europe used to be a corporate partner promoting its values and principles. Now, this has extended to interests also. Fortunately, many of these interests coincide with Ghana’s interests as well. What I want to do in my four years here is to make Ghana more attractive for investment for Europeans”
His Excellency Rune Skinnebach, EU Ambassador to Ghana
Mr. Skinnebach said the EU was working actively to attract financing from diverse sources, including private investors, development institutions, and international financial bodies. According to him, this support would target infrastructure, sustainability, and economic stabilisation in Ghana.
The Ambassador reaffirmed that the EU’s partnership with Ghana had evolved into a comprehensive framework that addressed not only governance and democracy but also economic and security challenges. He reiterated that Ghana’s role as a reliable partner made it an indispensable anchor of regional stability.
Mr. Skinnebach added that the EU’s security and defence collaboration with Ghana was not only about providing resources but also about building long-term resilience against threats that could destabilise the country and undermine peace.
He reinforced the EU’s confidence in Ghana’s capacity to lead by example in a troubled region, reflected in the Union’s broader strategy of deepening ties at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in West Africa.
With Ghana maintaining democratic governance and pursuing reforms under President John Dramani Mahama, the EU considers the country a critical partner in promoting stability, development, and regional integration.
Mr. Skinnebach underscored that his tenure would be marked by efforts to ensure that Ghana benefits from a greater share of European investment while also remaining a beacon of security in the sub-region.
By combining defence support with economic partnerships, the EU hopes to solidify Ghana’s position as both a stabiliser and an attractive destination for sustainable development.
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