President John Dramani Mahama has engaged in wide-ranging discussions with the outgoing German Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Daniel Krull, focusing on bilateral cooperation, regional security, and migration management.
The meeting, which formed part of Ambassador Krull’s farewell visit to President Mahama, served as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in Ghana-Germany relations over the past four years. Central to their discussions was the growing concern of irregular migration and its impact on Ghana’s youth.
President Mahama emphasised Ghana’s proactive steps in working with international partners, including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU), to curb unsafe migration.
He underscored the need to create viable economic opportunities at home to deter youth from embarking on dangerous journeys across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.
“Our focus must be on building sustainable livelihoods for the younger generation. Only then can we address the root causes of irregular migration and reduce the human cost associated with it,” he noted.
On regional matters, both sides acknowledged the evolving security dynamics in West Africa, particularly the growing threat of violent extremism in the Sahel region.
President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s readiness to partner with Germany in strengthening counter-terrorism efforts through targeted training and support for security forces.
The President commended Germany’s contributions to Ghana’s peacekeeping and security sector, highlighting its support for the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and other capacity-building initiatives that have enhanced the country’s defence architecture.
Sharing a post on social media after the engagement, President Mahama described the Ghana-Germany partnership during Ambassador Krull’s tenure as “highly successful,” and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cooperation, especially in the areas of economic development and security.
He also paid tribute to the ambassador’s role in strengthening bilateral ties and wished him well in his future endeavours, extending an open invitation to return to Ghana in the future.