The government has called for sustained support and constructive dialogue in the fight against violent extremism in the West African region, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) under the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang appealed on the opening day of the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.
The two-day summit, taking place from November 24 to 25, 2025, brings together Heads of State and high-level delegates from African Union and European Union Member States to reaffirm their long-standing cooperation.
The gathering also marks 25 years of the AU-EU Partnership.
In her address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang cautioned that poverty continues to be exploited by extremist networks to foment instability across the subregion.
She stressed that addressing the threat requires unity, community-driven peace-building efforts, and tackling the root causes of insecurity.
"West Africa contains its fair share of hope. This is a region of dynamic economies and breathtakingly creative youthful energy. But it also faces great risks. Extremist networks exploit poverty, exclusion and shrinking natural resources," she noted.
"The way forward demands unity, a focus on the root of insecurity, and community-based peace building. Ghana proposes a call for a meeting on violent extremism," she added.
The Vice President further urged EU Member States to back Ghana's plans to present a motion at the United Nations in 2026, seeking formal recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.
"The African Union has declared 2025 as the Year of Reparation. Ghana, as the AU Champion on Reparations, is preparing to table a UN resolution recognising the trans-Atlantic slave trade as among the gravest crimes against humanity. We urge the EU to join us in this endeavour," she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also highlighted key priorities being pursued by the Mahama-led administration, including securing an EU waiver for offshore patrols, replacing critical components of the pump hydro dam, and obtaining support for the Damongo Water Project in the Savannah Region.