Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for fair and equal partnerships between nations, stressing the need for Africa to assert its voice in global cooperation and economic development.
Speaking at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that while Ghana remains open to international collaboration, it will not accept unfair partnerships that silence its voice or exploit its resources.
“Is it a partnership where you have no voice? Is it a partnership where you don’t even decide how much you are selling your own goods for? These are the fundamental things we think deserve world dialogue,” she stated.
The Vice President urged African nations to seize the moment of global power shifts to become more self-reliant and economically empowered, highlighting the importance of processing their own resources to ensure sustainable development.
“We need to move ourselves from a situation where we have been for too long a battleground for the ambitions of others. It’s a question of processing your own resources, your own primary commodities, and entering the market on equal terms so that real peace can be realized,” she added.
EU Reaffirms Commitment to Fair Partnerships
Earlier at the forum, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered the keynote address, reiterating the EU’s dedication to strengthening partnerships built on mutual respect, shared interests, and long-term growth.
Von der Leyen noted that the EU’s Global Gateway initiative has already mobilized over €306 billion in global investments — surpassing its initial target of €300 billion by 2027.
“Our focus is on advancing global connectivity, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring genuine partnerships that benefit all,” she said.
She also emphasized ongoing collaborations between the EU and partner regions across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, noting that inclusive cooperation remains key to addressing global challenges such as inequality and economic instability.
About the Global Gateway Forum
The Global Gateway Forum brings together world leaders, policymakers, and investors to discuss global investment priorities, sustainable trade, and new partnership models that drive mutual prosperity.
This year’s event focused on inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and climate-friendly investments, with a call for transparency and equality in global trade relations.
