The German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Frederik Landscoft, has urged both Europe and Africa to build a new partnership based on mutual interests, shared strengths, and joint value creation. He made this call at a reception in Accra on Wednesday to commemorate German Unity Day. Mr Landscoft emphasized that the next chapter of relations between Europe and Africa must be founded on equality.
Mr Landscoft noted that the historical relationship between Europe and Africa had been shaped by profound inequalities, with colonialism followed by an economic model that saw raw materials leave Africa while value was created elsewhere. He stated that relations could no longer be defined principally by aid, but rather by what each side could offer the other.
The German Ambassador cited textile and pharmaceutical cooperation as examples of the partnership Germany wanted to promote with Ghana. He suggested that Ghanaian enterprise and resources could be combined with German technology, expertise, and financing to create jobs and retain more value locally.
Mr Landscoft also stressed the importance of vocational skills, noting that Germany's ageing population and Ghana's youthful population created complementary interests. He mentioned that German public and private institutions were working with Ghanaian partners to strengthen vocational training and expand opportunities for learning the German language.
On migration, Mr Landscoft emphasized that mobility should be structured to create opportunities in both countries, rather than simply facilitating the movement of skilled workers out of Ghana. The Minister of Defence, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, who was the special guest of honour, welcomed growing interest from German companies and institutions in investment, technology transfer, and skills development.
Mr Adjei highlighted cooperation in the textile and pharmaceutical sectors, demonstrating the practical benefits of combining Ghanaian enterprise and local resources with German technology, expertise, and investment. He also emphasized the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in equipping young people with practical skills responsive to the changing needs of the economy.
As Ghana and Germany prepare to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, Mr Adjei said the two countries must build on their longstanding friendship by translating trust and goodwill into concrete action and tangible outcomes for their people. The German-African Business Summit in Accra was also noted as an important platform for strengthening trade, investment, and business partnerships.
Key points
- German Ambassador to Ghana calls for new partnership based on mutual interests
- Historical relationship between Europe and Africa shaped by profound inequalities
- Ghana and Germany to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2027
