Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has issued a clarifying call to action, underscoring the imperative of concerted regional effort in combating the scourge of violent extremism that plagues West Africa.
Delivering a resolute statement at the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, she formally proposed a high-level meeting to dissect and address the entrenched causes of insecurity, including entrenched poverty, exclusion, and festering political instability.
"Ghana advocates for a focused conclave on violent extremism, underpinned by regional solidarity and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives, to dismantle the structural underpinnings of insecurity," Professor Opoku-Agyemang declared, spotlighting Ghana's unrelenting commitment to forging a robust AU-EU partnership anchored in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and collective pursuit of prosperity.
The Vice President reaffirmed Ghana's dedication to Africa's transformative agenda, accentuating the pivotal role of reinforcing the African Governance Architecture and empowering regional economic communities as linchpins of sustainable progress.
She took stock of Ghana's notable strides in restoring macroeconomic stability and confidence, citing plummeting inflation and a stabilized cedi as a prove to the efficacy of ongoing fiscal and public financial management reforms.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang hailed the European Union's Global Gateway Initiative and its substantial €150 billion pledge towards Africa's sustainable development, particularly in the realms of green energy and digital services, as a laudable stride. She spotlighted Ghana's priority projects, including the hydro dam and Wongbo water facility, and made a compelling appeal for support for an AU waiver on offshore patrols to bolster maritime security.
On the paramount issues of justice and human rights, the Vice President announced Ghana's intention to table a landmark UN resolution on reparations, formally acknowledging the trans-Atlantic slave trade as one of humanity's most egregious crimes, and extended an invitation to European partners to join as co-sponsors.
Invoking the sagacious words of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, she underscored the inextricable linkage between development, security, and human rights:
"There can be no development without security, no security without development, and neither without respect for human rights."
In peroration, Professor Opoku-Agyemang implored Africa and Europe to translate their commitments into tangible action, securing peace through expanded opportunity and advancing development through stability, emphasizing that a robust, cooperative AU-EU partnership alone holds the key to unlocking enduring prosperity for both continents.
Story by Lawrence Odoom
Copyright © 1994 - 2025 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
