Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Calls for Deeper African Unity and Inclusion
Ghana’s Vice President urges African nations to strengthen political, economic and cultural integration, saying the continent’s future depends on unity, innovation and empowering its people
Date: September 4, 2026
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for deeper African unity and greater inclusion across the continent, urging governments and citizens to work together in building an Africa driven by shared prosperity, innovation and equal opportunity.
Delivering a keynote address at a high-level gathering on African development, the Vice President said the continent possesses enormous human and natural resources but must strengthen collaboration if it is to unlock its full economic and social potential.
She stressed that Africa’s progress should be rooted in cooperation rather than competition, with countries investing in stronger regional partnerships that benefit all people regardless of nationality, gender or social background.
Unity must go beyond borders
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang argued that political and economic integration should extend beyond treaties and institutions to include meaningful collaboration in education, technology, trade, infrastructure and cultural exchange.
According to her, African nations must intentionally remove barriers that limit movement, innovation and opportunities for young people, describing inclusion as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
She noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other regional initiatives present unique opportunities for countries to grow together through expanded commerce and investment.
Investing in people is Africa’s greatest strength
The Vice President emphasized that the continent’s greatest asset is its people, particularly its youthful population.
She called for increased investment in quality education, digital skills, research, entrepreneurship and leadership development, saying these areas will determine Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also highlighted the importance of ensuring that women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities are fully included in national development, insisting that no society can achieve lasting progress while excluding sections of its population.
A future shaped by African solutions
Touching on governance and development, she encouraged African leaders to pursue home-grown solutions to the continent’s challenges instead of relying excessively on external models.
She said innovation, cultural identity and regional solidarity should guide policy decisions as African countries respond to issues including climate change, unemployment, food security and technological transformation.
The Vice President concluded by urging Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora to see themselves as partners in a shared future, calling for collective action to build an inclusive, resilient and globally competitive Africa.
