Africa must drive its own development, urges Ghana's Vice-President

Ghana's Vice-President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has issued a strong call for Africans to shed dependency and embrace self-reliance for the continent's development. Speaking at the African Mindset Reset Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, she stressed the need to move beyond aspirations and actively build "an Africa we work for."

Professor Opoku-Agyemang asserted that Africa possesses the necessary human expertise and natural resources to tackle its development challenges. She argued that the continent can no longer afford to depend on others for tasks that Africans are fully capable of accomplishing themselves. "We have to begin to believe in ourselves, our expertise and our institutions," she stated during a discussion that included Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Thabo Mbeki.

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We have to begin to believe in ourselves, our expertise and our institutions

She challenged the narrative that Africa's development is hindered solely by a lack of policies, resources, or capacity. Instead, she pointed to the mindset with which Africans approach their problems. Professor Opoku-Agyemang questioned who has historically narrated Africa's story and shaped global perceptions of African potential. She also raised concerns about the argument that Africa lacks experts, asking why African nations cannot cultivate their own engineers, scientists, and professionals.

The Vice-President further scrutinized claims of insufficient equipment and resources, urging a comparison between the cost of developing internal capacity and the significant expenditure on external support systems. She linked this call for self-reliance to the core ideals of Pan-Africanism, emphasizing unity and collaborative problem-solving among Africans. Professor Opoku-Agyemang advocated for a reform of African education systems to equip youth with not only knowledge but also the confidence and practical skills needed to devise solutions for the continent's unique challenges. She believes Africa's large, youthful population can be a powerful engine for development if properly educated and empowered to contribute.

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an Africa we work for