Mahama, Macron deepen Ghana-France relations at Paris Peace Forum

President John Dramani Mahama and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in security, trade, and economic development during talks in Paris.

The two leaders met at the Élysée Palace on Thursday on the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, where they discussed regional stability, debt relief, and digital innovation.

According to the Government Communications Minister, President Macron opened the meeting by expressing condolences for the passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, before both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties through the Paris Peace Initiative.

Central to the discussions was Ghana’s request for French assistance in combating piracy in its territorial waters. President Mahama sought enhanced support to protect Ghana’s maritime borders amid growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea.

The meeting also covered a French concessionary loan for Ghana’s health sector, awaiting parliamentary approval. President Mahama appealed to President Macron to use his influence with the International Monetary Fund to expedite Ghana’s access to the facility through the French Development Bank, citing Ghana’s improved debt-to-GDP ratio.

As African Union Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama called for collaboration to secure lower-interest loans for African infrastructure projects. He emphasized Ghana’s position as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat and the need for improved transport infrastructure to drive intra-African trade.

He also highlighted Ghana’s one-million-coders programme, which has registered 200,000 students, and requested French assistance in training French language teachers to boost education outcomes.

President Macron expressed France’s readiness to partner Ghana in technology and innovation, noting future opportunities at the VivaTech Summit in Nairobi, the AU-EU summit in Angola, and the 2026 G7 summit.

Both presidents discussed worsening insecurity in the Sahel and the need for coordinated action to counter terrorism. President Macron praised President Mahama’s leadership in the subregion and pledged France’s continued support for Ghana’s reform agenda.

They also touched on Ghana’s campaign for slavery reparations, with President Macron pledging support while calling for a balanced historical dialogue.