The European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms. Jutta URPILAINEN, has paid an official visit to Ghana to reaffirm the strong business ties the European Union has with Ghana, particularly in the domains of green energy, youth entrepreneurship, health and vaccines.
Commissioner URPILAINEN started her visit by meeting H.E. President Nana Akufo-Addo and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the Jubilee House. During her courtesy visit to the President, the Commissioner presented the EU’s new Global Gateway strategy and several flagship programmes.
Commissioner URPILAINEN also used the opportunity to officially launch the EU’s new cycle of cooperation with Ghana for 2021-2027 with Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta, based on shared priorities.
EU’s commitment to Ghana
She opined that the EU is glad to have a strong partnership with Ghana and will continue to do business with Ghana.
“As an economic powerhouse and an anchor of stability in the region, Ghana is a key partner of the EU in West Africa. In these times of instability, we need more than strong partnerships anchored in shared values more than ever needed in quality investments, both in infrastructure and human capital, to support the efforts of our African partners to promote sustainable development. This is the meaning of our Global Gateway Investment Plan for Africa, presented at the European Union-African Union Summit only a month ago. The EU sees concrete opportunities to deepen its partnership with Ghana by working together on the green and digital transition, education and youth empowerment, security situation, and at a multilateral level by promoting our common values.”
Ms. Jutta URPILAINEN
The Commissioner rounded her visit with the Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta to discuss avenues to explore a stronger EU-Ghana partnership to sustain and stimulate green growth and job creation in Ghana. The Commissioner emphasized that the EU and Ghana are important trade partners, notably through the EU-Ghana Economic Partnership Agreement.
She noted that Accra plays a central role in continental economic integration as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat. Commissioner URPILAINEN and Minister Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta took part in the signing ceremony of an agreement to work together on a project to build irrigation infrastructure in Northern Ghana to which the EU contributed EUR 44.7 million in grant to support.
As a concrete example of the EU’s interest in supporting green jobs and entrepreneurship in Ghana, Commissioner URPILAINEN engaged with young entrepreneurs during her visit to Innohub. This business accelerator and investment platform support entrepreneurs in a green and circular economy.
Speaking to the Vaultz news, Mr. Addey Prince, an Agricultural Economist and M&E Officer for World Vision Ghana, said the EU and Ghana have been partners for a long time with great benefits. “This visit will yield great results for Ghana, especially with the grant given,” he revealed.
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