By Alex Ababio
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is serving as President John Mahama’s personal envoy at the 7th African Union–European Union (AU–EU) Summit, being held in Luanda, Angola, on 24–25 November 2025. Her presence underscores Ghana’s strategic determination to steer a bold, mutually respectful partnership between Africa and Europe — one based on shared prosperity, cooperation, and long-term transformation.
A Milestone Moment: 25 Years of AU–EU Partnership
The Luanda summit marks a significant milestone: 25 years of institutional cooperation between the AU and EU. Under the theme “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism,” leaders from both continents — including Heads of State, civil society, business, youth, and private-sector actors — are coming together to reset the agenda for the next quarter-century.
Co-chaired by Angolan President João Lourenço (also Chairperson of the African Union) and by European Council leadership, the summit’s timing is significant: amid global geopolitical competition, shifting supply chains, and the urgent need to reimagine development as a partnership rather than charity.
Ghana’s Priorities on the Global Stage
Economic Stability & Growth
At the heart of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s mission in Luanda is to highlight Ghana’s economic recovery journey. The country has implemented bold reforms, including a 24-hour economy policy, to boost production, productivity, and employment.
This initiative dovetails into Ghana’s Big Push infrastructure program. According to Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review, the government plans to mobilize US$10 billion to scale up roads, rail, energy, health, water, and education infrastructure.
International finance partners are taking note. The African Development Bank (AfDB) recently concluded a high-level mission to Ghana and identified five key transformational areas, pledging support for industrial parks (textiles, agro-processing), downstream financing, and investments aligned with the 24-hour economy.
On the macroeconomic front, Ghana secured a US$ 360 million World Bank support to underpin its recovery. The funding backs reforms in fiscal discipline, financial stability, social protection, and climate resilience — aligning directly with the priorities Prof. Opoku-Agyemang will present in Luanda.
Food Security, Value-Chain Transformation & Cocoa
Ghana is placing great emphasis on agricultural value-chain transformation, especially in cocoa — one of its most strategic exports. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang will call upon AU–EU partners to support Ghana’s shift from raw export to processing, manufacturing, and local value addition.
This transformation drives not only export revenues but also job creation across rural farming communities, aligning with Ghana’s national Economic Transformation Agenda (ETA).
By investing in agro-processing, mechanization, credit systems, and agricultural finance, the Ghanaian delegation hopes to make a compelling case: Africa’s agrarian economies can power modern industries and global supply chains.
Women’s Empowerment & Inclusive Growth
Another priority on Ghana’s agenda is gender equity. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang will spotlight the government’s efforts through the Women’s Development Bank, affirming Ghana’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, reducing gender-based economic inequality, and building financial inclusion.
At the summit, she is expected to argue that Africa–EU cooperation must invest in people: women, youth, and civil society — because long-term prosperity depends on inclusive growth.
Climate Resilience & Multilateral Action
Climate change remains central. For Ghana, building climate resilience means strengthening food systems, disaster preparedness, and sustainable infrastructure. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang will urge partners to back green funding, technology transfer, and adaptation programs.
The EU sees climate action as an environmental and economic imperative. According to the European External Action Service, addressing climate is “not only a response to environmental crisis … but the strategy to unlock innovation, stability and future-proof opportunities.”
Ghana’s advocacy in Luanda is consistent with the wider AU–EU push: climate cooperation must be woven into trade, investment, and development architecture for true sustainability and resilience.
Peace, Security & Governance
Ghana will also press the case for peace and security, reminding AU–EU leaders that stability underpins any credible development agenda. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s interventions will likely call for stronger support for African-led peace operations and reinforcing African institutions.
The summit agenda confirms this: political and military cooperation, counter-terrorism, transnational crime, and cyber and maritime security are among the priority themes.
Ghana, having experienced its own political challenges historically, wants to champion governance reforms — not only at national level but through the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), in concert with EU partners.
Expert Perspectives: What the World Is Watching
African–European Foundation Calls for Co-Investment
In the run-up to the Luanda summit, the Africa-Europe Foundation released a powerful report titled State of Africa–Europe 2025. Their call is clear: move beyond the donor-recipient model toward strategic, risk-shared co-investment.
The foundation stresses that both continents should jointly design infrastructure strategies, build industrial capacity, and share long-term risks — especially on critical minerals and energy infrastructure.
Critical Minerals & Industrial Sovereignty
One of the most urgent topics in Luanda is access to critical raw materials — minerals essential for green energy, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. The EU’s RESourceEU initiative, part of this year’s agenda, aims to accelerate supply-chain diversification, reduce reliance on China, and build downstream processing in Africa.
This lens of “industrial sovereignty” resonates with Ghana’s vision: home-grown processing, value addition, and resilience against global shock.
Migration, Mobility & Human Development
Beyond trade and security, migration and mobility remain front and center. According to analysts, the summit could deliver managed mobility arrangements — legal pathways, protection mechanisms, and opportunities for youth.
Ghana will use the platform to argue that cooperation must invest in people: education, skills, youth employment, civil society, and social inclusion must be core to the AU–EU compact.
Voices From the Ground: Ghanaian & International Experts Speak
Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Finance Minister, reflects on macroeconomic reform: “The World Bank’s US$360 million facility strengthens the foundation of our recovery. We are building a resilient, inclusive economy.”
AfDB Officials, after their high-level mission: “Ghana’s 24-hour economy and industrial parks are precisely the type of visionary, future-oriented transformation we want on the continent. We will partner across value chains, not just provide finance.”
From the EU side, a senior diplomat who declined to be named told this reporter: “We do not see Africa as a project. This time, we want co-ownership, co-design, co-risk, co-benefit. That’s the spirit of Luanda.”
Why Ghana’s Role Matters
Ghana’s proactive posture at the summit is not accidental. It reflects a broader national strategy — the so-called Resetting Ghana agenda — to revitalize its economy, enhance its global role, and anchor its development prospects in partnerships. As Time Magazine recently noted, President Mahama’s administration has pursued radical economic reform: from the 24-hour economy to anti-corruption codes, youth upskilling, and a return to strong currency discipline.
Moreover, Ghana’s macroeconomic stabilization is gaining traction. Inflation has dropped sharply, prompting discussion of further interest-rate easing. Foreign reserves have strengthened, and investor confidence is being restored.
In mining, Ghana is rewriting its rules. New legislation will shorten licence durations, eliminate automatic renewals, and require mining companies to invest in local communities. These reforms reflect Ghana’s insistence: resource extraction must benefit ordinary people, not just multinational corporations.
The Risks and Challenges
While Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s mission is optimistic, it is not without risk. Some observers caution that grand summit rhetoric may not always translate into concrete commitments. Civil society actors have called for clear accountability, especially when it comes to infrastructure funding, climate finance, and risk-sharing.
Others warn of hidden conditionalities: will Africa–EU co-investment really avoid debt traps? Will critical minerals deals respect sovereignty, environmental safeguards, and equitable benefit-sharing? These questions hover as leaders gather in Luanda.
Looking Ahead: What Ghana Could Secure
1. Increased EU investment in Ghana’s industrial parks, especially agro-processing, textiles, and downstream value chains.
2. Green finance deals to back Ghana’s climate-resilience projects: renewable energy, adaptation, and nature-based solutions.
3. A talent pipeline for women and youth through the Women’s Development Bank and education partnerships.
4. Stronger trade ties and mobility frameworks: legal migration pathways, student mobility, and entrepreneurial exchanges.
5. Security cooperation, especially on cyber, maritime, and counter-terrorism, aligned with Africa-led peacekeeping missions.
Conclusion: Ghana Leading a New Africa–Europe Compact
By sending Vice President Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Ghana is positioning itself not just as a beneficiary of partnership, but as an architect of a new Africa-Europe compact — one rooted in mutual respect, shared risks, and shared rewards.
In her summit address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is expected to weave Ghana’s recovery narrative — structural reforms, the 24-hour economy, infrastructure ambition, climate action, women’s empowerment — into a broader call for a strategic, balanced, and people-centered partnership. That is exactly the vision many African and European experts are calling for: turning 25 years of cooperation from aid to co-investment, from dependency to sovereignty, and from rhetoric to results.
As global observers watch closely, Ghana’s leadership in Luanda could mark a turning point — not just for the country, but for how Africa and Europe define their shared future.