The Day is in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration that gave birth to the idea of the European Union. Known as Europe Day, it falls on 9 May and has been commemorated for 68 years.  The theme for Europe Week in Ghana this year is "Changing Lives".

In a welcome address and proposing a toast to Ghana, the European Union Chargé d' Affaires to Ghana, Mr. Paolo Salvia, said "We tried to explain what the European Union stands for, what our interests in Ghana are and our objectives for a strengthened partnership". Development cooperation is still important, but other aspects are gaining importance.

On investments, the EU appreciated the commitment, confirmed by Vice President Bawumia at the Ghana-EU Political Dialogue, to improve the business and investment climate, striking a balance between support to local actors and competitiveness as an investment destination

Read the full speech attached.

Responding to the toast, Minister of Defence of Ghana, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul said Ghana acknowledges the EU's EUR 175 million financial agreement with the Government of Ghana for a stipulated period of seven years to support the implementation of specific development projects in the areas of Public Financial Management (PFM), the stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Sustainable Agricultural Development in the Savannah Ecological Zone, decentralisation and climate change.

Read the full speech attached.