Here is How Africans Reacted To President Akufo-Addo's Speech at the GPE

When Ghana’s President took to the podium at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) conference, his remarks sparked a strong reaction from Ghanaians and Non-Ghanaians. He started off to discuss his efforts to close the education gap in Ghana’s youth, however, he did not only end with Ghana. He expanded his talking points to touch on a broader issue – the advancement of the African continent.

[bctt tweet=”‘We cannot depend on other people to finance the education of our continent. We cannot do it!’ – President Akufo-Addo (Ghana)” username=”africanvibes”]

He went on to say:

[bctt tweet=”‘If we make our policy dependent on other people, when their policy changes , we will suffer. But if we make the policy for ourselves, then it means at all times we will be in control of our own destiny.’ – Ghana President Akufo-Addo”]

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Then he continued with this statement:

[bctt tweet=”‘And the monies, are they available on the continent? Yes they are. They are in abundance.’ – President Akufo-Addo (Ghana)” username=”africanvibes”]

But where was this money he was so sure was available? Well he had that covered too.

We eliminate corruption. Take corruption out of public life
Organize ourselves to have intelligent arrangements for those who want to exploit our resources. Have more balanced contracts between us and them.
Prevent the flight of capital out of the continent. Thabo Mbeki’s commission that looked at the illicit flows of financial capital out of Africa has estimated that in the last 10 years, every year $50Billion go out of Africa through illicit means. Can you imagine what those monies, if we had our eyes open and we were not complicit in that illicit outflow, what it will mean for the capacity of our nations?

– President Akufo-Addo (Ghana)

The Challenge All African Presidents Must Confront

He pointed out the question that every African leader needs to grapple with and address with resolve. He asked:

[bctt tweet=”‘ How can we organize ourselves to make sure the huge wealth of this great continent at least for the first time in modern history is used on behalf of the people on the continent and not those outsides?’ – President Akufo-Addo (Ghana)” username=”@africanvibes”]

Watch The Speech Here

Reaction from the community

Ghanaians were mostly very proud

Thank you Mr. President for your belief in our own capacity as a country and a continent. Education is solution to all socio-economic problems and I believe in the efforts you are demonstrating to make it functional and basic even for the minimum. This is a balm of goodwill.

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— Jefferson Lloyd (@JeffersonAge) February 3, 2018

None Ghanaians Longed For His Kind Of Leadership

Am a Kenyan but i wish u were our president sir. i loved your speech. i thought there is a leadership gap in Africa after the death of Mummar Gaddafi but you instilled in us hope, very confidently speaking next to the president of france @EmmanuelMacron. AFRICA IS POTENTIAL

— Faiz rashid (@Faizrashid55) February 6, 2018

Great speech on Education. We should have more @NAkufoAddos all across Africa, our countries will surely get better. From #DRC, thank you for helping reshaping our mindset that we have all the ressources to heal our continent and populations.

— Dali Mbala (@DaliMbala) February 5, 2018

In Spite of the positive reception, there were those that were not having any of it.

Even in the face of some mixed emotions from a few, there is no denying that President Akufo-Addo’s brazen speeches are stirring up a feeling of hope among Africans from all over the continent. He represents a promise of good leadership, something that has been scarce for many African nations for too many decades.