Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang at Global Gateway Forum in Brussels

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang is attending the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, a platform for strategic dialogue on global partnerships in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. The forum offers an opportunity to reflect on how nations can collaborate meaningfully in a world marked by tension, inequality, and shifting power dynamics.

Speaking on “The State of the World” panel, she emphasized the importance of mutual benefit and cooperation in international partnerships. Drawing from African philosophy and thought, I noted that recent geopolitical shifts suggest an ever-growing awareness of the need to redefine international relationships.

Peace cannot be achieved when others continue to feel left out, and partnerships must be rooted in fairness and agency. Ghana, for instance, has a vibrant and determined youth who are not waiting for tomorrow but are leading today. Through the 24-Hour Economy Policy, our government is empowering them to lead in innovation, productivity, and nation-building.

Africa must now be an active participant in shaping global dialogue and outcomes. I stressed the need for diversification of partnerships so that no single bloc dominates, and for Africa to invest in research, innovation, and value addition along with her natural resources. Ghana, for example, cannot continue exporting raw materials only to import the finished products at higher costs; this cycle undermines both sovereignty and prosperity.

True partnership, she reiterated, must involve co-decision-making, agency, and mutual accountability. Ghana is open to collaboration, but it must be grounded in respect, fairness, and shared progress.

According to the Vice President this moment presents a chance for the global community, particularly Africa, to redefine the rules of engagement and ensure that development is on the front burner.

While in Brussels, the Vice President, attended the Global Gateway Forum, which presented a platform for strategic dialogue on global partnerships in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. The forum offered an opportunity to reflect on how nations can collaborate meaningfully in a world marked by tension, inequality, and shifting power dynamics.

Speaking on the panel on “The State of the World,” Prof. Naana Jane emphasized the importance of mutual benefit and cooperation in international partnerships.

Drawing from an African adage, “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”, I noted that recent global shifts suggest that the “grass” may no longer bear the consequences alone. The vulnerable and marginalized are awakening to the need to redefine global relationships and build them on respect, equality, and shared prosperity.

Peace cannot be achieved when others continue to feel left out, and partnerships must be rooted in fairness and agency. Ghana, for instance, has a vibrant and determined youth who are not waiting for tomorrow but are leading today. Through the 24-Hour Economy Policy, our government is empowering them to lead in innovation, productivity, and nation-building.

Africa must now be an active participant in shaping global dialogue and outcomes. I stressed the need for diversification of partnerships so that no single bloc dominates, and for Africa to invest in research, innovation, and value addition along with her natural resources. Ghana cannot continue exporting raw materials only to import the finished products at higher costs; this cycle undermines both sovereignty and prosperity.

True partnership, she reiterated, must involve co-decision-making, agency, and mutual accountability. Ghana is open to collaboration, but it must be partnership grounded in respect, fairness, and shared progress.

”This moment presents a chance for the global community, particularly Africa, to redefine the rules of engagement and ensure that development and peace are not privileges but shared global responsibilities”.