Ghana to host Africa’s political, business, social sector leaders at maiden Africa Prosperity Dialogues

Under the auspices of the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, and Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, the maiden edition of The Africa Prosperity Dialogue Series will hold from January 26 to 28 in Ghana.

This was announced, yesterday, by the host nation and AfCFTA Secretariat.

An initiative of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), the Dialogue Series are expected to bring Africa’s political and business leaders, as well as other thought leaders on Africa, together in conference, to not only brainstorm on the all-important single market project for the continent, but also to create a yearly platform for the continent’s leaders to spearhead collaborative implementation of the all-important Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

It is recognition that, for it to work, there must be shared ownership of the objectives of AfCFTA, particularly with businesses big and small, right from the onset.

In recent times, global geo-political issues have exposed Africa’s over-reliance on the global supply chain and natural resources export, and highlighted the imperative for the continent to seriously consider how to strengthen capacity for greater intra-Africa reliance and cushion herself against exogenous shocks from events beyond her control.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues Series will incorporate the launching of various platforms for political, business and social sector leaders on the continent and in the Diaspora to think, plan and collaborate towards building a strong and effective single market of Africa’s 1.4 billion people, thereby, helping to create more opportunities for African citizens and build a more prosperous Africa.

Dubbed the ‘Kwahu Summit’ because the concept was birthed at an APN retreat held at the renowned Rock City Resort in the Kwahu Mountains of eastern Ghana, the Dialogue Series will also help bring into sharp focus the continent’s critical challenges, outline its industrialisation priorities, and aggressively advance the required commercial and infrastructural interventions to achieve the goal of deepening inter-continental trade.

The Dialogues will be carried out in two parts. The first will feature the Business and Policy Leaders’ Dialogue – a retreat for business executives and associations, senior public figures, civil society thought-leaders, technocrats and the Association of Africa Investment Promotions Agencies.

This event will be held on January 26 and 27, at the idyllic Safari Valley Resort at Aburi, on the mountainous Akuapem Ridge.

The second part of the Dialogues will be hosted by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2023.

President Akufo-Addo will be joined by a number of his colleague Heads of State from across the eight regional blocs on the African continent.

The participating Heads of State include the Presidents of Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Rwanda, Guinea Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Niger, DRC, and the Republic of Congo.

Accomplished entrepreneurs, industrialists, economists, bankers, and other business leaders in Africa and beyond have also confirmed their participation.