Kumasi: The European Union (EU) is enhancing its strategic investment and partnership efforts with Ghana to bolster the country's economic growth, democratic stability, and long-term development, according to Mr. Rune Skinnebach, the EU Ambassador to Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Skinnebach emphasized the EU's commitment to positioning Ghana as a crucial partner in West Africa through investments, development cooperation, and security partnerships aimed at strengthening resilience and creating opportunities, particularly for the youth. Speaking after a lecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Mr. Skinnebach highlighted that the EU had already committed over one billion euros in investments in Ghana under its Global Gateway Investment Package.
The lecture, organized by the KNUST Career Services Centre, was part of the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills Programme. Mr. Skinnebach explained that the Global Gateway initiative, launched in 2022, aims to mobilize approximately 150 billion euros in investments across Africa through development financing, international financial institutions, and private sector participation.
He noted that the EU remains Ghana's largest investor, primary export market, and a significant development partner. Mr. Skinnebach stressed the necessity for Ghana to maintain political and macroeconomic stability and create a business-friendly environment to stay competitive within the sub-region. He pointed out that stable governance systems, reliable infrastructure, and strong legal and regulatory frameworks are crucial for attracting more European investors.
Mr. Skinnebach described the current period as a positive phase in Ghana-EU relations, citing recent high-level engagements and new bilateral agreements as evidence of growing cooperation. Recent partnerships in areas such as forestry legislation, peace, security, and defense cooperation were mentioned, along with an upcoming partnership dialogue scheduled for June.
The Ambassador praised Ghana's democratic credentials and relative peace within a turbulent regional environment, describing the country as "a peaceful and stable island in very unruly waters." He assured that the EU would continue supporting Ghana's efforts to preserve peace and stability while promoting sustainable economic growth.
Mr. Skinnebach cautioned that sustaining economic gains would require continuous commitment to reforms and prudent fiscal management. He noted that while Ghana's economy had benefited from favorable gold prices and ongoing reforms, maintaining long-term economic stability would depend on policy consistency and responsible expenditure management.
He also stressed the importance of engaging young people as part of the EU's partnership agenda with Ghana, emphasizing that the youth remain central to the country's future development. "Whenever we go somewhere, we always try to meet young people because they are the future of Ghana," he said, adding that interactions with young people often provided valuable and insightful perspectives that helped shape future EU initiatives.