Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang officially opened the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2026 at the Accra International Conference Centre today, delivering a keynote address on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking to a gathering of continental leaders and stakeholders, the Vice President emphasized that the inclusion of youth, women, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is the fundamental pillar of Africa’s economic future.
She noted that while the vision of a single African economic space is still a work in progress, the pursuit of shared prosperity must remain the continent’s guiding light.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang outlined how these principles form the basis of Ghana’s “Reset Agenda,” a strategic framework designed to transition the continent from a state of dependency to one of self-reliance and integration. During her address, she identified critical barriers still facing the backbone of the African economy, particularly the financial and logistical hurdles SMEs and women entrepreneurs encounter in cross-border trade.
To combat these challenges, she advocated for a comprehensive approach involving expanded intra-African trade, robust industrial policies, and significant investments in infrastructure and digital connectivity.
Highlighting Ghana’s proactive role in this continental transformation, the Vice President pointed to the 24-Hour Economy initiative and the Big Push infrastructure programme as concrete contributions to regional trade growth.
She concluded by reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to Pan-African cooperation, stressing that strengthening governance and institutional frameworks is essential for moving Africa from merely exporting raw potential to building sustainable, domestic prosperity.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
