By Lawrence Odoom
VICE PRESIDENT Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has said Africa can only achieve real prosperity if it embraces unity and inclusivity.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, she stressed that young people, women, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must be fully included in Africa’s development plans.
According to her, including these groups is not optional but essential for the continent’s future. She explained that Ghana’s Reset Agenda aims to move Africa away from dependence towards self-reliance, from division to integration and from exporting raw potential to building wealth within the continent.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that Africa’s dream of becoming a single economic space is still unfinished, but the goal of shared prosperity must remain central. She said a united Africa is not just a long-term hope, but an urgent need.
She praised Ghana’s strong history of Pan-African cooperation and pointed out that SMEs, women, and the youth form the backbone of African economies. However, she acknowledged that these groups continue to face challenges such as limited access to finance, markets, and cross-border trade opportunities.
To achieve lasting change, the Vice President called for increased trade among African countries, strong industrial policies, better infrastructure, innovation, and stronger institutions and governance.
She mentioned Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative and the Big Push infrastructure programme as practical steps to support trade and industrial growth across the continent.
She concluded by saying that Africa’s true strength lies in unity and in fully using the talents and abilities of all its people, urging African leaders and citizens to work together to unlock the continent’s full potential.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
