President John Dramani Mahama met with João Cravinho, the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, at the Presidency in Accra on Wednesday to discuss enhanced cooperation on regional security and development.
The meeting examined the strategic partnership between the EU and Ghana, particularly in addressing shared challenges related to security, governance, and development in the volatile Sahel region.
President Mahama outlined Ghana’s proactive diplomatic efforts to mediate relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The President emphasized the need for a unified regional platform, proposing a revitalized Accra Initiative to combat the growing threat of terrorism in West Africa.
Mahama confirmed Ghana’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic outreach to the Sahel states, with a follow-up visit by the EU Representative planned for early 2026 to translate discussions into concrete projects.
Both parties agreed to expedite the finalization and implementation of the EU-Ghana Security and Defence Partnership to enable closer collaboration.
Cravinho reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Ghana in strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, recognizing its connection to achieving stability in the Sahel.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
