The new European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, has officially begun his mandate after presenting his Letters of Credence to President John Mahama at the Jubilee House on Friday, September 19.

The ceremony, which marked the formal start of his mission, followed the presentation of his Open Letters to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

During his meeting with President Mahama, both leaders spoke about the long-standing partnership between Ghana and the EU and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation.

Ambassador Skinnebach expressed his enthusiasm for the role and pledged to deepen relations across trade, youth development, education, sustainability, and security.

“I look forward to further strengthening Ghana-EU relations during my four-year tenure,” he said.

“Ghana remains a preferred trading partner to the European Union, and our collaboration continues to deepen. We commit ourselves as a partner to Ghana’s future, as evident in our continued commitments on youth, education, and sustainability in Ghana. I will also work to establish the EU as Ghana’s primary security partner, and Ghana’s preferred political partner of choice.”

Mr Skinnebach brings over 20 years of experience in the EU’s external relations. He previously served as EU Ambassador to Malawi, Deputy Head of Division for Pan-African Affairs at the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, and Head of the Political, Press and Information Section at the EU Delegation to Zambia.