Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang promotes Africa’s Reset Agenda, calling for homegrown prosperity, economic reform, and sustainable development led by Africans.
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has delivered a powerful call for a fundamental shift in Africa’s economic strategy, advocating for a “reset agenda” that prioritizes building robust, self-sustaining prosperity within the continent, rather than continuing to export its vast potential to global markets.
Speaking at the prestigious 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues held in Accra, the Vice President articulated a vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, capable of charting its own economic destiny and delivering inclusive growth for all its citizens.
The core of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s message resonated with a growing sentiment across the continent – a desire to break free from historical patterns of dependency and fragmentation. For decades, Africa has been characterized by its reliance on external aid, volatile commodity markets, and a lack of intra-continental trade and integration.
The Vice President argued that this model has consistently fallen short of unlocking Africa’s true potential, leaving millions trapped in poverty and hindering the continent’s overall development.
“The idea of a reset is to move us decisively from dependency to self-reliance, from fragmentation to integration, and crucially, from exporting potentials to building prosperity right here at home,” she stated emphatically. This ‘reset’ isn’t merely a change in policy, she explained, but a fundamental shift in mindset, a collective commitment to prioritizing African solutions to African challenges.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the unfinished nature of Africa’s ambition to become a fully integrated economic space, a vision enshrined in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While the AfCFTA represents a monumental step forward, she cautioned that its success hinges on overcoming persistent barriers to trade, investment, and the free movement of people.
“Our borders should connect us, not divide us,” she asserted, highlighting the critical need for enhanced regional infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and a shared commitment to pan-African cooperation.
The Vice President’s address wasn’t simply a critique of the status quo; it was a proactive call to action. She emphasized that genuine economic transformation cannot be achieved in isolation.
Each African nation, she argued, has a vital role to play in fostering a collaborative ecosystem that benefits the entire continent. This includes actively promoting intra-African trade, investing in shared infrastructure projects, and working together to address common challenges such as climate change, security threats, and public health crises.
Ghana, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang pointed out, has long been a champion of pan-African unity and collaboration. She cited several key initiatives undertaken by the country, including the impactful ‘Year of Return’ campaign, the vibrant Pan-African Festival of Arts and Culture (PANAFEST), and the recent Diaspora Summit, as evidence of Ghana’s unwavering commitment to strengthening ties between Africa and its global diaspora. These initiatives, she explained, are designed to harness the immense potential of the African diaspora, their skills, knowledge, and financial resources to contribute to the continent’s development.
Furthermore, the Vice President highlighted the importance of fostering cooperation based on principles of dignity, equity, and mutual benefit. She referenced the recommitment made by African states during the second AU-CARICOM Summit held in Addis Ababa last year, which underscored the need for stronger partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean regions with shared histories and similar developmental aspirations. This commitment, she noted, reflects a growing desire among African nations to forge relationships based on genuine partnership, rather than traditional donor-recipient dynamics.
The call for a ‘reset’ also implicitly addresses the need for greater African agency in global economic governance. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s vision suggests a move away from passively accepting the dictates of international financial institutions and towards actively shaping policies that serve Africa’s best interests. This includes advocating for fairer trade practices, increased access to financing, and a greater voice in global decision-making forums.
In conclusion, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s address at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues served as a powerful and timely reminder of the urgent need for a new economic paradigm in Africa. Her ‘reset agenda’ focused on self-reliance, integration, and homegrown prosperity offers a compelling roadmap for a future where Africa finally realizes its full potential and takes its rightful place on the global stage.
The success of this agenda, however, will require sustained commitment, bold leadership, and a collective determination to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. The stakes, as she rightly pointed out, are incredibly high, the prosperity of generations of Africans depends on it.
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