President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized the necessity of providing equal opportunities for Africans to foster growth, asserting that reliance on Western handouts is unnecessary.
He articulated the demand for opportunities within the new global framework that would grant access to education, healthcare, and jobs.
During his address at the Annual UN General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2024, he expressed deep concern regarding the global system’s bias against Africans, who are often perceived as passive recipients of aid rather than equal partners in progress. He criticized excessive Western aid, arguing that it undermines Africa’s ability to shape its future.
He pointed out Africa’s potential for development, contingent on receiving the right opportunities. He noted that Africa has suffered from being overlooked and treated as an afterthought, while many promises made to the continent have remained unfulfilled, often accompanied by conditions that restrict its development.
He argued that Africa is not a continent of despair but one full of possibilities, emphasizing the need for a new development path. The people of Africa are seeking opportunities rather than handouts, aiming for access to education, healthcare, and jobs to improve their lives and those of future generations.
He stressed the importance of inclusive decision-making, ensuring that the poor, vulnerable, and displaced are central to the process. He called for genuine action to accompany discussions, insisting that these communities should not be left behind in decisions affecting their lives.
President Akufo-Addo reflected on his service to the people of Ghana and, by extension, to West Africa, Africa, and the world, describing it as the greatest blessing of his life.