The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Hon. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has called for a new era of partnership between Europe and Africa founded on equality, fairness, and mutual respect.
He made the call when a delegation from the European Parliament, led by Hon. Udo Bullmann, Member of the European Parliament for the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry to deepen cooperation and enhance bilateral development ties.
Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Pelpuo emphasized that Ghana and the European Union (EU) share a long history of collaboration that must now evolve into a more balanced relationship based on shared goals rather than a donor–recipient dynamic.
“It is important that we work together as partners, not as subordinates and superiors,” he said. “Europe and Africa must now work as equals. Our histories are intertwined, our future should be built together on fairness and opportunity.”
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to job creation as a central pillar of national policy, stressing that the administration remains focused on empowering young people through skills development and employment opportunities.
“When we campaigned for office, we made it clear that unemployment was the biggest challenge facing our youth. We have since placed job creation at the heart of our policy drive, and we welcome the EU’s readiness to collaborate in this area,” he noted.
Hon. Pelpuo also expressed concern about restrictive export standards that limit Africa’s access to European markets, calling for a more open and flexible trade regime that allows local producers to thrive.
“Even agricultural exports such as fish and legumes face stringent conditions that make it difficult for Ghanaian exporters to access the European market. We believe in high standards, but they must be fair and achievable,” he said.
He proposed the organization of a joint conference between European and Ghanaian business chambers to harmonize export requirements and promote fair trade and investment.
In his remarks, Hon. Udo Bullmann conveyed condolences to the Government and people of Ghana following the recent tragedy at the El-Wak Sports Stadium.
He commended the resilience of Ghana’s youth and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development agenda through responsive, locally driven programmes.
“We see in Ghana a huge asset, a young generation eager to serve and contribute to their country’s progress,” Hon. Bullmann said. “Our visit is to listen and understand your priorities so that our support reflects your needs, not just Brussels’ designs.”
Mr. Bullmann highlighted the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative, which seeks to mobilize public and private investment for sustainable growth in Africa, while underscoring the importance of local ownership.
“We want to move away from projects designed solely in Europe. The real success of development cooperation is when local communities and governments co-own the vision,” he stated.
The delegation’s visit formed part of a broader working mission to Ghana, during which members engaged with government officials, civil society groups, and development partners before returning to Brussels.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
