- Mahama and Macron discuss security, economy, and regional stability
- Ghana seeks French support against Gulf of Guinea piracy
- Talks cover health sector loan and infrastructure financing
Paris, October 30, 2025 – President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in extensive bilateral discussions at the Élysée Palace on Thursday, addressing security cooperation, economic development, and regional stability during the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum.
The meeting began on a solemn note, with President Macron offering condolences for the recent passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
Both leaders lauded the Paris Peace Initiative and the growing partnership between Ghana and France. A central topic was Ghana’s request for French support in combating piracy in its territorial waters, aimed at safeguarding maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The discussions also covered a French concessionary loan for Ghana’s health sector, currently pending parliamentary approval. President Mahama appealed to President Macron to leverage his influence with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to facilitate Ghana’s access to the French Development Bank facility, citing the country’s improved debt-to-GDP ratio.
In his role as African Union (AU) Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama advocated for collaboration to renegotiate infrastructure loans at lower interest rates. He further highlighted Ghana’s role as the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, stressing the need for enhanced road infrastructure to boost intra-African trade.
President Mahama also presented Ghana’s one-million-coders initiative, which has already registered 200,000 students, and requested French support to train additional French-language teachers to strengthen language education in Ghanaian schools.
President Macron noted several upcoming opportunities for collaboration, including the VivaTech Summit in Nairobi (May 2026), the African Union-European Union summit in Angola, and the June 2026 G7 Summit, where France will advocate for increased support for Ghana.
On the topic of reparations for slavery, which Ghana is championing, President Macron expressed support while emphasizing the need for a multilateral approach, acknowledging contributions from actors beyond Western powers.
The leaders also addressed the worsening security situation in the Sahel, including terrorist incursions in Mali and other Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries.
President Macron commended President Mahama’s leadership in the subregion and Ghana’s ongoing economic reforms, pledging continued French support for Ghana’s development agenda.
