Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has underscored the importance of including youth, women, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in the African development agenda, describing them as central to the continent’s future.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Mrs. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang mentioned that the principle underpins Ghana’s Reset Agenda,
She said it is aims to move ‘Africa from dependency to self-reliance, from fragmentation to integration, exporting to building prosperity at home.’
She emphasized Ghana’s long-standing commitment to Pan-African cooperation, noting that women and youth within the SME sector remain the backbone of Africa’s economies, despite persistent barriers to cross-border trade, finance, and market access.
She reiterated that Africa’s transformation relies on stronger intra-African trade, better infrastructure, stronger industrial policies, fostering innovation, and good governance, citing Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Big Push initiatives as practical examples that support these goals.
“Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative and the Big Push infrastructure programme are practical contributions to continental trade and industrial growth,” she stated.
Source: Ernest Kelvin Okanta
