EU’s Envoy to Ghana Pledges Stronger Trade, Security Ties in Meeting with Mahama

European Union’s new Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach has formally assumed office after presenting his Letters of Credence to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House.

The ceremony marks the start of Ambassador Skinnebach’s four-year mission, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation across trade, political engagement, and security. Ahead of the presidential audience, the diplomat presented his Open Letters to Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

In his remarks, Ambassador Skinnebach underscored the EU’s intention to expand its partnership with Ghana beyond trade. “I look forward to further strengthening Ghana-EU relations during my 4-year tenure. Ghana remains a preferred trading partner to the European Union, and our collaboration continues to deepen. We commit ourselves as a partner to Ghana’s future, as evident in our continued commitments on youth, education, and sustainability in Ghana. I will also work to establish the EU as Ghana’s primary security partner, and Ghana’s preferred political partner of choice,” he said.

The EU is Ghana’s largest trade partner and a key source of development support, with ongoing cooperation in sectors ranging from infrastructure and energy to education and digitalization. In recent years, security collaboration has become increasingly prominent, particularly around maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea and regional stability in West Africa.

Ambassador Skinnebach brings more than two decades of diplomatic experience to the role. He previously served as EU Ambassador to Malawi, Deputy Head of Division for Pan-African Affairs at the European External Action Service in Brussels, and Head of the Political, Press and Information Section at the EU Delegation to Zambia. His diplomatic career began in Ghana in 1994.

His return to Accra, where he began his service three decades ago, marks a continuity in EU-Ghana ties and a signal of the bloc’s intent to remain a central partner in Ghana’s trade, security, and political agenda.

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