President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo emphasized the need for equal opportunities for Africans to drive growth, stressing that handouts from the West are unnecessary.

According to him, Africans rather demand opportunities in the new global framework to have access to education, health care and jobs.

He expressed deep concerns about the global system’s bias against Africans, viewing them as passive aid recipients rather than equal partners.

Akufo-Addo’s sentiments were echoed during the Annual UN General Assembly in New York, on Wednesday, September 25, where he criticized excessive Western aid that hinders Africa’s ability to shape its future.

He highlighted Africa’s achievements and potential for development, given the right opportunities.

“Africa in particular, knows the cost of being left out. Yes, we are a continent rich in potential and resilient in the face of adversity. We have also been disadvantaged by the global system that has generally treated us as an afterthought. We have been viewed merely as passive recipients of aid rather than as equal partners in global progress.

“Many promises have not been fulfilled to bring about the long-chain assistance that we passionately need. Such aid offered often comes with strings attached, limiting our ability to shape our future. Africa is not a continent of despair, she’s focused on full of great possibilities. She’s required, however, to chart a new course of development.

“The people of Africa are not asking for handouts, they are demanding opportunities in the new global architecture so that they can have access to education, health care and jobs to be able to build better lives for themselves, families and their descendants.”

He underscored the need for the poor, vulnerable and displaced not to be left behind in decision-making, highlighting the need for their meeting not to be mere rhetorics but to be backed with actions.

He emphasised the importance of inclusive decision-making, ensuring the poor, vulnerable, and displaced are not left behind, stating that such meetings must translate into tangible actions, going beyond mere rhetoric to bring about meaningful change.

“We cannot in good conscience leave them behind, they should be at the centre of our decision and decision making.”