The wife of the vice-president, Samira Bawumia at the launch of the second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) held in Accra, has emphasised the need to empower the youths and harness their potential in Africa’s development pathways.
She noted that the youth of Africa represent the driving force for the continent’s future and progress.
“Africa’s youthful population is a tremendous asset – a source of creativity, innovation, and boundless energy. With more than 60 percent of our population under the age of 25, the youth of Africa represent the driving force for our continent’s future and progress.
It is crucial that we harness this immense potential by investing in quality education, skills training, and employment opportunities. By providing the youth with the tools they need to succeed, we can unlock their entrepreneurial spirit, drive economic growth, and build a prosperous Africa for generations to come,” she stated.
She also added that as the continent embarks on its transformative journey, it must prioritise the empowerment of women.
“Empowering women is not only a moral imperative but a strategic choice for sustainable development. By empowering women, promoting gender equality, and removing systemic barriers, we unlock a vast reservoir of talent, creativity, and leadership. We need to break down the barriers that limit their participation in economic, political, and social spheres and ensure their full participation in all sectors of society. Let us invest in education,” she added.
Innovative solutions
The second lady also believes that as the continents make efforts to develop, it is therefore imperative that it explore innovative solutions to drive intra-Africa trade, stimulate inclusive growth, address inequality, and embrace sustainable development practices.
While at that, she stressed the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and called for a collective approach towards realising its effective implementation for growth.
She further encouraged fostering collaboration and investing in infrastructure, to remove trade barriers.
“At the core of our dialogue and aspirations lies the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This requires collaboration, coordination, and collective effort from all stakeholders. Governments, private sectors, civil society, and international partners must work hand in hand to create an enabling environment that facilitates seamless trade, reduces trade barriers, and promotes the movement of goods, services, and investments across borders.
“I urge all stakeholders present today to commit to action. Let us not limit ourselves to conversations and agreements but let us implement the ideas generated during this dialogue. And let us work tirelessly to realize the immense potential of the AfCFTA by fostering collaboration, investing in infrastructure, and removing trade barriers,” she said.
The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) successfully launched the highly anticipated second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues on June 18, 2023, at the Africa Trade House in Accra.
The second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues promises to be a pivotal platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among key business players. By facilitating discussions and promoting partnerships, the event aims to chart a path toward sustainable economic development and shared prosperity throughout Africa.
“Let us leverage the Africa Prosperity Dialogues to foster cross-sectoral partnerships, bridge divides, and align our efforts towards a shared vision. We, therefore, need to support initiatives like the Africa Prosperity Dialogues to constantly remind ourselves of the common vision of creating the “Africa we want”,” the second lady urges.
