Barely 12 months after the ban on the export of five vegetable crops to the EU market was lifted, Ghana faces another ban on its exports. This time, exported pepper is in danger of being blacklisted over doubts about quality. About 24,000 tonnes of pepper is exported from Ghana to the EU annually.

''I will start my report from the European Council with Brexit. Last Wednesday evening, leaders listened to Prime Minister May’s views on the negotiations. [...]Leaders also held a short debate on external relations, including on the fight against climate change ahead of COP 24 in Katowice. We adopted conclusions on taking our relations with Africa to a new level — an issue of great importance.''

The Council today informed the European Parliament that it cannot accept all the amendments for the 2019 EU budget adopted by the Parliament. This triggers a three-week conciliation period starting on 30 October. The two institutions will have until 19 November to find an agreement on next year’s budget.

Carlos Lopes, the Post Cotonou representative for the African Union shares his thoughts on migration: ''The current debate surrounding migration has become both emotional and irrational. In ageing countries there is a permeating belief that the movement of migrant populations around the world will have a negative effect. The financial cost of accepting and integrating migrants is one of the most frequently used arguments in order to justify limiting their numbers, including for legal immigration.''

The European Union (EU) has welcomed the ‘Ghana beyond aid’ agenda with a pledge to offer the needed financial and technical support to help translate the initiative into reality. This was disclosed by the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Ghana, H.E. Diana Acconcia when she met the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on Wednesday October 17, 2018.

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini met on 17 October with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss the shared engagement and joint work of the EU and the Foundation in support of human development in Africa in particular, including by accelerating digital development. The EU and Mr. Gates also signed an agreement to create a joint fund to invest €100 million in European companies working to stop climate change.

For the first time since 2012, the EU’s aid spending decreased in 2017. This means, at the current rate of growth, the EU would need another 40 years to meet the 0.7% ODA/GNI target, reveals CONCORD AidWatch Report 2018. While the EU remains the world’s largest aid donor, EU aid decreased by 4% compared to 2016 and inflated aid still represented 19% of the total EU aid budget in 2017.

The first round of formal negotiations between the ACP Group of States and the European Union kicked off this afternoon (18/10/2018) at the ACP House in Brussels. The ACP's chief negotiator, Professor Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration from Togo was present for this symbolic occasion.

The European Council adopted conclusions on external relations, focusing on the EU's relations with Africa. Leaders agreed that cooperation should be taken to a new level, underpinned by the necessary resources, including through the European External Investment Plan and the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, attended the EESC plenary session on 17 October 2018, engaging in a debate with members on the main external threats and challenges for the EU. EESC President Luca Jahier, highlighted the important role played by the EU as a major humanitarian aid donor, but also recalled that "civil society organisations are willing to be part of this effort".