Thanks for your steadfast support, solidarity amidst global challenges…Veep to EU

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has commended the European Union (EU) for its “stead­fast support and solidarity” to­wards Ghana and the West African sub-region in the face of ongoing global challenges.

According to Dr Bawumia, the myriad crises currently confronting the world, including threats ema­nating from the insecurity situation in the Sahel region had brought adversity.

The Vice President was speaking at the 2024 Ghana-EU Partnership Dialogue held in Accra yesterday to assess cooperation between the two sides and also discuss issues of mutual interest.

The dialogue, which is part of the EU month celebration created the platform to discuss four thematic areas; socio-economic partnership; peace and security; governance and human rights; green growth, technology, and sustainability.

Dr Bawumia highlighted the longstanding and deep-rooted partnership between Ghana and the EU bloc, which dates back to the signing of the Lome Conven­tion in 1975 – the first cooperation agreement between the two parties.

“With a history of collaboration dating back to the Lome 1 Conven­tion…the framework has provided a comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue and enhanced cooperation,” he noted.

Dr Bawumia said the dialogue presented not only an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, but also a platform for addressing pressing challenges and advancing shared objectives.

He said it would help generate innovative solutions and concrete actions to the collective well-being and prosperity of both parties and beyond.

On his part, the Ambassador of the EU to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, described the partnership between EU and Ghana as strong as ever, and stated EU’s commitment to the country by investing more in the partnership.

“Europe did not even consider scaling down its commitments to Ghana. This was illustrated by our continued support for Gha­na’s macro-economic stability, and the country’s ability to manage the ongoing economic and finan­cial crisis,” he said.

While stating the various proj­ects and partnerships between the two sides, he said there was room for improvement especially with the deepening of trade relations.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, expressed the hope that the partnership would continue to grow stronger for mutual benefits.

 BY JONATHAN DONKOR