Legal framework
The presence of the European Commission (EC) in Ghana dates back to 1976, when a Delegation was opened in Accra to implement “in the field” the jointly agreed development cooperation programmes designed to achieve the objectives of the 1st Lomé Convention, signed in 1975 for a period of five years between the European Union (EU) and EU Member States’ former colonies in the ACP zone (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific).
When the 4th edition of “Lome” (1995-2000) came to expiration, the Cotonou Agreement signed on 23 June 2000, became the new framework for the EU's relations with 79 ACP countries. The Cotonou Agreement is designed to promote and expedite the economic, social and cultural development of the ACP States, contribute to peace and security and promote a stable and democratic political environment. The Agreement establishes a new approach, given the limited success of the main approach of non-reciprocal trade preferences in the previous conventions and the need to adapt to international developments such as globalization, technological progress and the far-reaching social changes in the ACP States. This new approach aims to strengthen the political dimension, provide more flexibility and entrust the ACP States with greater responsibilities.
The Cotonou Agreement provides for a revision clause which foresees that the agreement is adapted every five years untill 2020. The 2nd revision of the Cotonou Agreement, recently signed in Ouagadougou in June 2010, provides a framework to strengthen the political dialogue, which has been a longstanding practice between Ghana and the EU and is now taking a new dimension under the EU Lisbon Treaty. The revised Cotonou Agreement also reinforces the principles of aid effectiveness, which should bring about improved aid management through applying more efficient aid modalities (e.g. budget support) and better alignment of aid to national development priorities, such as the ones earmarked in the new Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda 2010-13 
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