President Akufo-Addo in a handshake with Tony Elemulu (2nd L, Chairman, Tony Elemulu Foundation) while other dignitaries look on
The
quest of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to build a ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’
seems to have caught up the attention of the world, with the United Nations
literally adopting the policy as part of its agenda for the development of the
African continent.
This became evident yesterday when the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) — an affiliate of the global body — hosted a high-level dialogue with
African Influencers in Accra under the theme: “Africa’s Money for African Development:
A Future Beyond Aid”.
The
dialogue seeks to explore how Africa can optimize the use of its own resources,
creativity and innovation to effectively finance Africa’s development.
It is
set to examine the future of development in Africa and how to capitalize on the
implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), as well
as the opportunities emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
It is
also the first of its kind to feature an interaction between a select number of
Africa’s political, traditional and business leaders, leading voices in
culture, entertainment, media and the academia.
Addressing
the forum, the UNDP Director Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA), Ahunna Eziakonwa,
indicated that President Akufo-Addo had clearly shown commitment to the agenda
to transform the African continent and make it self-reliant.
“I
wish to thank President Akufo-Addo for sounding the clarion call assiduously
and consistently working towards this goal,” she said.
On
his part, President Akufo-Addo said he was passionate about building a “Ghana
Beyond Aid” and “Africa Beyond Aid.”
“When
I talk about Ghana or Africa Beyond Aid, I am simply insisting that we use our
resources to build robust economies that will propel us into the likes of the
developed nations of the world; I am insisting that we stop believing that our
deliverance will come from benefactors. I am insisting that we take our fate in
our own hands and work to bring us to where we do not look for or expect
charity,” the President explained.
He
said at the beginning of cocoa production season in 2021 in Ghana and Ivory
Coast, farmers in the two countries would be paid a Living Income Differential
(LIB) of US$400 as part of the effort to push out the aid agenda.
Besides, he said the two countries had agreed to sell cocoa with a living income premium of $400 a tonne added to the price in a bid to reform the way global cocoa is priced.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent
