President John Dramani Mahama and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, have held extensive bilateral discussions at the Élysée Palace in Paris, reaffirming their shared commitment to closer cooperation in the areas of security, economic development, and regional stability.
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, underscored Ghana’s strategic importance in West Africa and France’s continuing engagement with African partners amid shifting global alliances.
Condolences and Renewed Partnership
President Macron began by expressing condolences over the passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, describing her as “a pioneer of women’s leadership and a symbol of democratic resilience.” Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual respect and commitment to strengthening Ghana–France relations through the Paris Peace Initiative, which promotes diplomacy and sustainable development.
Maritime Security and Economic Cooperation
A major focus of the talks was maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, where piracy and illicit trade remain persistent threats. President Mahama appealed for France’s technical and logistical support to enhance Ghana’s naval capacity and coastal surveillance systems.
“Safeguarding our maritime borders is not only a national security concern but also a continental imperative,” President Mahama noted.
On the economic front, discussions centred on a French concessionary loan earmarked for Ghana’s health sector, pending approval by Parliament. President Mahama urged President Macron to engage with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the French Development Bank to expedite the facility, citing Ghana’s improving debt-to-GDP ratio and commitment to fiscal discipline.
Development Financing and Regional Trade
As African Union Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama proposed a joint framework for renegotiating loan agreements and reducing interest rates on infrastructure financing across the continent. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that debt restructuring translates into tangible benefits for African economies.
The Ghanaian leader also highlighted Ghana’s hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, positioning the country as a gateway for intra-African trade. He appealed for France’s partnership in developing road and transport corridors that would facilitate cross-border commerce and integration.
Education and Digital Skills
President Mahama showcased Ghana’s One Million Coders Initiative, which has already enrolled over 200,000 students in digital training programs. He called for French collaboration in bilingual education and the training of French language teachers, arguing that language skills are essential for effective regional and international engagement.
President Macron welcomed these proposals, commending Ghana’s emphasis on innovation and human capital. He expressed France’s readiness to collaborate at forthcoming global events, including the VivaTech Summit in Nairobi (May 2026), the AU-EU Summit in Angola, and the G7 Summit in June 2026, where France plans to advocate for increased international support for Ghana’s development agenda.
Reparations and Regional Security
The two leaders also touched on the sensitive issue of reparations for slavery, with President Mahama emphasizing the need for a holistic and historically balanced conversation that acknowledges the roles of all actors involved.
On regional matters, discussions focused on the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel, particularly in Mali and other Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries. President Macron praised Mahama’s consistent advocacy for peace, noting that Ghana’s stability and diplomacy remain crucial to maintaining balance in West Africa.
“Ghana continues to be a pillar of democracy and dialogue in the subregion,” President Macron stated, pledging continued French support for Ghana’s development and peacekeeping efforts.
The Paris engagement marked yet another step in Ghana’s deepening partnership with France, reinforcing shared values of democracy, peace, and sustainable development at a time when global cooperation is increasingly vital.
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