Ghana’s President On Africa’s Importance In The Global Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery And Women’s Seat At The ‘Top Table
DUBAI, 8 March 2022 — His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana has praised the links Expo 2020 Dubai has created between his country and the UAE, as well as with the rest of the world.
In 2020, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was re-elected for his second term, which will end on 6 January 2025. Akufo-Addo previously served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007 under the Kufuor-led administration. He is currently serving his second term as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Why is it important for Ghana to be a part of this event at the time of a global pandemic?
The reason for our presence of Ghana here are obvious. It is a huge global event. I have to congratulate the authorities of the United Arab Emirates for putting on what I can only call one of the great spectacles of the world. It is important that Ghana should be here to present itself to the world, to tell the world about the opportunities that exist in our country and to give an account of ourselves and be attractive to people who are looking to invest in Africa. Especially in West Africa. So, the reasons for our presence has to do with the global event which is taking place.
How has your participation in Expo 2020 Dubai helped bilateral economic ties between Ghana and the UAE? What are some of the areas of collaboration?
Already we have strong relations with the UAE, especially the energy field. The UAE companies that are working in Ghana, doing very sensitive work in the energy sector so a platform has already been created which hopefully after this Expo we will be able to build on the areas of tourism, the areas of energy, the areas of agriculture and the areas we see as ones where we can have mutual benefit both on the UAE side and on our side also as Ghanaians. Above all, I think that what we are looking for is the linkages of this Expo and not just to the UAE but to the wider world. We believe that our presence here and the strength of the outreach that is coming from
African countries have a strong presence at Expo 2020 Dubai. For the first time, all African nations are represented. There is also a pavilion for the African Union. The African Continental Free Trade Area has been created and started trading last year. What role can Africa play in the recovery of the global economy?
Ghana will help us achieve that goal. The Africa Continent of free trade area is the largest free trade area outside the world trade organisation itself, is grouping 54 countries in Africa, population of 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of some 3 trillion united states dollars, so already you are talking about a significant market. Fortunately for us in Ghana, the secretariat of the AFCTA is housed in Ghana. Our peers in Africa were kind enough to repose its confidence in us so as it were, the commercial capital of the continent today is Ghana and we see the possibilities in the AFCTA’s siting in Ghana as having a very dynamic impact on the growth of our own economy and of course as an avenue for the greater growth for the African economy. Clearly a strong performing African economy is an economy that will make a very substantial contribution to the revival of the global economy.
So, I see the African contribution especially when we are seeing how already in the one year of its operation the AFCFTA is beginning to have a significant impact in the way our economies are working. So far 16% of the combined GDP of the African economies has been derived from inter Africa trading. We are anticipating that figure to go up to 30% by 2030 and with that of course we are talking about a market that is going to be huge that is going to require a great deal of infrastructural connections in the area of roads, railways, telecommunications, infrastructure generally and then of course as a recipient of foreign exports. It is going to be another huge market and as a stimulant to the world economy, the revival of Africa’s economy can have a very it is going to have a catalectic effect on the growth of the world economy.
We are celebrating International Women’s Day today — how important do you think it is to have more women represented in political and businesses roles?
In our country — and I think our country is the model, is the same everywhere on the continent, 51% of the population are women and that is an African demographic as well on the continent. So, what you are talking about is, align the majority, to have a say in how they are governed.
I don’t think that there can be any longer any discussion about whether women should or should not be, it is obvious that they ought to have a place at the top table and the sooner we can have arrangements that make that possible, the better for all of us. It will fulfil the need for us to accept the views and the perspectives of the majority.
Maureen Drackett-Fuller and Delroy Constantine-Simms
