At the 2023 Session of the Ghana-EU Political Dialogue, which will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on March 8, 2023, both Ghana and the European Union (EU) have pledged to expand their collaboration.
Ghana and the EU have the chance to evaluate the progress made in implementing the Dialogue's outcome at this year's session.
In addition, it examines opportunities for cooperation in the thematic areas outlined in the Dialogue agenda and highlights the two sides' shared visions.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana, who presided over the event thanked the various stakeholders and the delegation from the European Union for their efforts toward successful discussions.
Dr. Bawumia also took advantage of the occasion to express gratitude to the EU for providing €10 million to support Ghana's food security, in accordance with the government's Plan for Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
He was hopeful that the session this year would address both bilateral and multilateral issues for the benefit of both Ghanaian and EU citizens and further strengthen the relationship that already exists between the two countries.
In a statement read on her behalf by Thomas Mbomba, Deputy Minister at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, noted that the partnership between Ghana and the European Union—the country's largest development partner—continues to strengthen despite the numerous global upheavals since the last Dialogue in 2021.
She indicated that topics of mutual interest, including economic partnership, democracy, good governance, climate change and sustainability, economic transformation, regional security, and multilateralism, among other topics, would be the primary focus of the discussions.
Mr. Irchad Razaaly, the EU Delegation's Ambassador to Ghana, commended Ghana for its efforts to promote peace and security throughout the subregion and through the UN Security Council.
He added that the Political Dialogue demonstrates the depth of cooperation between Ghana and the EU and that the EU is still committed to its partners in Africa.
In attendance were Deputy Minister of Defense Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery, Minister of National Security Albert Kan-Dapaah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame, and Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Parliament as well as a variety of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies also took part in the Political Dialogue.