EU Envoy Calls for Deeper Ghana–EU Security Alliance as Sahel Crisis Worsens
The European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, Mr. João Cravinho, says the worsening security situation in the Sahel demands a stronger, more coordinated partnership between Ghana and the EU in the coming years.
Speaking after a tour of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra during his three-day mission to Ghana, Mr. Cravinho said the visit reaffirmed the EU’s position that Ghana has become a crucial anchor of stability in West Africa—making the partnership “indispensable” for tackling the region’s complex security threats.
Sahel instability poses direct risks to Europe
Mr. Cravinho warned that escalating jihadist attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger continue to destabilise communities in the Sahel while creating ripple effects that threaten European security.
“Terrorist organisations do not remain confined to the places where they originate. They eventually endanger broader regions,” he said. “The establishment of extremist networks in the Sahel directly affects Europe.”
He noted that shifting United States foreign policy and successive coups in the region have further complicated the security landscape, making strengthened EU–Ghana cooperation even more urgent.
Officials in Accra and Tamale reaffirm Ghana’s commitment
Mr. Cravinho said discussions with President John Mahama, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, national security chiefs and security agencies in Accra and Tamale left him with “a strong sense of shared commitment”.
According to him, Ghanaian officials consistently highlighted the EU’s role as a “fundamental and trusted partner” in regional security efforts.
“The message was clear: Ghana is not only willing to work with the EU—but needs to work with us,” he said.
Northern Ghana shows the Sahel’s realities up close
Describing his visit to Tamale as one of the most revealing parts of the trip, Mr. Cravinho said engaging with the army, police, immigration services and civil society offered a deeper appreciation of the pressures created by the Sahel crisis.
“It is very different from reading reports in Brussels. Being in the north and listening to people closest to Burkina Faso gives a far more grounded understanding of the dynamics,” he noted.
Coordinating Europe’s response to a fast-changing region
As the EU’s Special Representative, Mr. Cravinho leads efforts to harmonise policy towards the Sahel across all 27 EU member states and maintain engagement with countries in the region, including Mauritania, Chad and the coastal states affected by the spread of violent extremism.
He reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting diplomatic, security and development interventions aimed at preventing further deterioration.
Looking ahead: A partnership anchored in shared security
Mr. Cravinho stressed that both sides are expected to intensify collaboration over the next one to two years as geopolitical uncertainties persist.
“This partnership is essential. By working closely together, the EU and Ghana can help stabilise one of the most volatile regions in the world,” he said.
