Minister Richmond visits Ghana and Senegal

The Minister’s programme in Ghana and Senegal covered political, development cooperation, diaspora and sports diplomacy engagements.

The visit highlighted Ireland’s work across the region. The Minister co-chaired a meeting of Sahel Special Envoys which was held in Ghana. He also saw first-hand Ireland’s ongoing development cooperation work, especially in Senegal. He engaged with the Irish diaspora and friends of Ireland

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Richmond said:

In Ireland’s role as Presidency of the Council of European Union, I will co-chair a meeting of the Sahel Special Envoys with the EU Special Representative for the Sahel. The Sahel is a priority for the Irish Presidency. The region has undergone profound changes in the last six years, but continues to suffer from instability, terrorism-related violence, and an escalating humanitarian crisis.

I am particularly pleased that the Sahel Special Envoys are meeting in Ghana, a country I know well, and a country that is playing a leading role in regional efforts to address the crises affecting the Sahel.

I am also looking forward to a number of bilateral engagements in Ghana, including with the Friends of Ireland, and meeting with NGO partners and Irish missionaries who have contributed so much to the country over decades.

My visit to Senegal comes just before that country hosts the Youth Olympic Games – the first Olympic event to be held on the continent of Africa. It is great opportunity to highlight the innovative work our Embassy in Dakar is undertaking in sports diplomacy and sports4development, in particular projects supporting women’s empowerment through sport.

I am also looking forward to seeing how Irish Aid projects co-funded with the European Union are supporting women’s access to employment and vocational training in sectors linked to the Youth Olympics.

GHANA

In Accra, the Minister co-chaired a meeting of the Sahel Special Envoys alongside EU Special Representative for the Sahel, Birgitte Markussen. These regular meetings bring together EU Member States and like-minded partners, including representatives from the region, and are an opportunity to coordinate and share information on developments in the Sahel, including on the implementation of the EU’s Renewed Approach to the Sahel.

The Minister also had a number of bilateral engagements in Ghana. He met with Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology of Ghana. He visited the Irish Aid funded UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Accra, from where vital humanitarian supplies are distributed. He also met with Irish Aid fellowship awardees, and members of the Irish Community. The visit reinforces the strong ties between Ireland and Ghana, building on the decision by Ghana to re-establish a resident Embassy in Ireland, and the visit of Deputy Foreign Minister James Gyakye Quayson to Dublin in September 2026.

SENEGAL

In Senegal, the Minister visited Ireland’s newest Embassy in Africa, the first in francophone West Africa, which opened in 2023. His programme included a meeting with Mr. Cheikh Niang, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad. He also visited Irish Aid and EU funded projects which showcase the broad span of the Irish Embassy’s development work, with a focus on climate, access to health, youth engagement and women’s empowerment.

Sports diplomacy was also a key theme of the visit with the Minister attending an event that celebrates Ireland and Senegal’s leadership on sports diplomacy and commitment to Sports 4 Development, in advance of the Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026, which will see participation by three young Irish athletes.