Veep urges stronger AU–EU action against violent extremism … Calls for historic UN resolution on reparatory justice
The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger joint action between African and European leaders to confront the rising threat of violent extremism in West Africa.
Speaking in Luanda, Angola, where she represented President John Dramani Mahama at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit, the Vice President warned that extremist groups continued to exploit poverty, exclusion and political instability, factors that put millions of young Africans at risk.
She emphasised that Africa’s youth remained the continent’s greatest asset, but said their potential was being eroded by growing insecurity.
To help address this, she announced Ghana’s proposal for a dedicated regional meeting focused solely on violent extremism, aimed at uniting regional leaders behind practical, coordinated solutions and community-based peace-building.
According to her, a targeted forum would tackle the root causes of instability rather than merely reacting to its symptoms.
She added that such a platform would also deepen cooperation between African and European partners at a time when shared security challenges require collective responses.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to a revitalised AU–EU partnership grounded in fairness, shared values and mutual respect.
She noted that Ghana remained aligned with the long-term vision adopted at the 2022 AU–EU Summit, which prioritised Africa’s transformation agenda, improved governance systems and stronger support for regional economic communities.
The Vice President also highlighted Ghana’s recent progress in stabilising its economy, citing the steady decline in inflation, a more stable cedi and reforms aimed at strengthening public financial management.
These gains, she said, form part of Ghana’s focus as it prepares its development agenda for 2026.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further used the summit to reaffirm Ghana’s leadership in global advocacy for reparatory justice.
She reminded the gathering of Ghana’s mandate as the AU Champion for Reparations and announced that the country will soon table a UN resolution recognising the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as one of humanity’s gravest crimes.
She urged European partners to join Ghana as co-authors of what she described as a historic resolution, stressing that the call for reparations was not about revisiting the past in bitterness but about acknowledging historical truth, promoting healing and building a future rooted in fairness and dignity.
Forging a stronger AU–EU partnership, she said, requires honest dialogue and a commitment to addressing long-standing inequalities.
Ghana believes both continents can achieve more by working together on security, climate resilience, youth development, trade, technology and governance reforms.
The summit in Luanda brought together leaders from Africa and Europe to review progress on their joint commitments and to exchange views on emerging challenges affecting both regions.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
🔗 Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
🌍 Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
✅ Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
