A Member of the Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD), Dr Eugene Owusu has stated that, Africa with its abundant resources can’t be poor. He called for a new priorities in the narrative and make it one that inspires hope and self-confidence and one that speaks to the human dignity.
“Poverty and under-development cannot be our narrative. Although we may have a lot of poor people on this continent, Africa is not a poor continent”.
He made the statement at a press conference ahead of the three-day APD conference that involves top business leaders, heads of international development institutions, and social change markers a unique platform to deliberate and proffer comprehensive policies aimed at boosting intra-Africa trade.
The 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APD) is scheduled to take place from January 25 to January 27, 2024, at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region.
The event which is organised by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) in collaboration with African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is under the theme, “Delivering Prosperity in Africa – Produce, Add Value, Trade,” It is to be attended by business gurus across the globe and it is under the guidance of President Akufo-Addo.
Africa Prosperity Network (APN) is a not-for-profit organization established with a vision to promote Africa beyond aid, by creating the platforms for holding critical dialogues that would reshape the thinking of leaders of Africa continent and guide them into taking bold steps in the area of trade, commerce, the structure of the national economies, political conduct and culture that would bring prosperity to the people of Africa.
The Founder and Executive Chairman of Africa Prosperity Dialogue (APN), Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko on his part averred that, APD is an instrument that is to be used to push the implementation of the AfCFTA to achieve the unnegotiable need for Africa’s economic integration which would lead to the shared prosperity of the African continent.
A member of the Board of Directors of APN, Gayheart Mensah, calls for a collaboration across borders and sectors in other to create environment that allows to produce, add value, and trade among member countries.
“We must invest in our people and our infrastructure for sustainable economic growth and development. Above all, we must embrace dialogue, innovation, and creativity to unlock the full potential of the African economy and create prosperity for the people of Africa,” Gayheart Mensah added”.
The Chief Executive Officer of APN, Njack Kane, called for the need to ensure infrastructural development, champion agriculture, ensure food security, and drive sustainable development of natural resources and industrialization.
“Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, Trade, will require investment in infrastructure, injection of capital into production, innovation, removal of trade barriers, and a pan-continental legal and regulatory regime that will enhance intra-African trade”.
Njack Kane noted that, a lot more production and value-addition within the continent would generate jobs, create wealth, stimulate economic growth in Africa, and deliver prosperity dividends.
“It will improve the competitiveness of Africa in global trade, expand our markets, and increase in-flows. This is the reason why Africa must learn to work together, particularly our politicians and businessmen” .
Chief of Staff at the AfCFTA Secretariat, Silver Ojakol, on behalf of the Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, noted that the AfCFTA Secretariat considers APD as a vital component, and source of generating policy implementation initiatives that would help drive the objectives of the AfCFTA area.
