Commissioner URPILAINEN started her visit on 30 March by meeting H.E. President Nana Akufo-Addo and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at Jubilee House. They discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on global security  and  commodity prices, as well as the regional security situation in West Africa and Sahel. The Commissioner also presented the EU’s new Global Gateway strategy and several flagship programmes.

Commissioner URPILAINEN emphasised that: “As an economic powerhouse and an anchor of stability in the region, Ghana is a  key partner of the EU in West Africa. In these times of instability, we need more than ever strong partnerships anchored in shared values. We also need quality investments, both in infrastructure and in human capital, to support the efforts of our African partners to promote sustainable development. This is the meaning of our Global Gateway Investment Plan for Africa, presented at the European Union-African Union Summit only a month ago. The EU sees concrete opportunities to deepen its partnership with Ghana by working together on the green and digital transition, education and youth empowerment, security situation, and at multilateral level by promoting our common values.”

On 31 March, the Commissioner met with the Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta. They discussed the global economic impact of the conflict in Ukraine and explored avenues for a stronger EU-Ghana partnership to sustain and stimulate green growth and job creation in Ghana. The Commissioner emphasised that EU and Ghana are important trade partners, notably through the EU-Ghana Economic Partnership Agreement. Accra plays a central role for continental economic integration as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

This was followed by the launch of the EU’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programming (MIP) in Ghana for 2021-2027 together with the Minister of Finance and the EU member states  ambassadors  in Ghana.

This new programming falls under the EU’s new Global Europe Gateway investment package for Africa and will provide €203 million for the period 2021-24 to support the following three priorities:

-           Green growth for jobs;

-           Smart and sustainable cities;

-           Good governance and security.

These priorities were jointly determined with Team Europe partners and in close consultation with Ghanaian authorities, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.

Commissioner URPILAINEN and Minister Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta took part in the signing ceremony of an agreement to work together on a project to build irrigation infrastructure in Northern Ghana, also together with France. The European Union is contributed to this project with EUR 44.7 million in grant.

This was followed by a meeting with the Minister of Energy, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh. They discussed the Global Gateway strategy and prospects for further cooperation under the Continental Power System Masterplan. They also talked about the EU’s and Ghana’s ambitions and transition plans towards green energy including opportunities on renewable energy, notably green hydrogen, in line with the EU Green Deal.

Building resilient health systems in Africa, strengthening local pharmaceutical systems and manufacturing capacity to be ready for future pandemics are essential objectives of the EU Global Gateway strategy for Africa. Commissioner URPILAINEN visited the laboratories of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), which regulates local manufacturing of vaccines and is supported by the EU and Germany. As Team Europe, the EU and German Development Cooperation have recently joined hands to strengthen the FDA in this role. Commissioner URPILAINEN confirmed Ghana is a priority country for the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+).

As a concrete example of EU interest in supporting green jobs and entrepreneurship in Ghana, Commissioner URPILAINEN had the opportunity to engage with young entrepreneurs during her visit of Innohub. This is a business accelerator and investment platform supporting entrepreneurs in green and circular economy. Commissioner URPILAINEN discussed challenges and opportunities offered by the dynamic Ghanaian business context. Several Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from a variety of sectors – including cocoa and waste management – shared their innovative and green business ideas. They underlined how their businesses are improving communities’ livelihoods while contributing to the green transition.