By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, May 14, GNA – The European Union (EU) is deepening its strategic investment and partnership engagements with Ghana to support the country’s economic growth, democratic stability, and long-term development, Mr. Rune Skinnebach, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, has said.
He said the EU continued to position Ghana as a key partner in West Africa through investments, development cooperation, and security partnerships aimed at strengthening resilience and creating opportunities, especially for the youth.
Speaking in an interview with journalists after delivering a lecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Mr. Skinnebach said the EU had already committed more than one billion euros in investments in Ghana under its Global Gateway Investment Package.
The lecture was organised by the KNUST Career Services Centre as part of the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills Programme.
Mr. Skinnebach explained that the Global Gateway initiative, launched in 2022, sought to mobilise about 150 billion euros in investments across Africa through development financing, international financial institutions, and private sector participation.
According to him, the EU remained Ghana’s largest investor, biggest export market, and one of its most important development partners.
“Today, the biggest investor in Ghana is the EU and the EU is also the biggest export market for Ghana,” he stated.
He noted that while the EU was committed to expanding investments in Ghana, the country must continue to maintain political and macroeconomic stability and create a business-friendly environment to remain competitive within the sub-region.
He said stable governance systems, reliable infrastructure, and strong legal and regulatory frameworks were essential in attracting more European investors.
“If the right conditions are in place, European investors will come, but if neighbouring countries offer better conditions, then investors may choose those countries instead,” he said.
Mr. Skinnebach described the current period as a positive moment in Ghana-EU relations, citing recent high-level engagements and new bilateral agreements as evidence of growing cooperation.
He mentioned recent partnerships signed in areas including forestry legislation, peace, security and defence cooperation, as well as an upcoming partnership dialogue scheduled for June.
“We have peace and stability, high-level visits, new partnerships and strong cooperation. Everything is going in the right direction,” he indicated.
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, however, 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 favourable 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, saying the youth remained 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.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
Email: [email protected]