President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo has encouraged African nations to quit “begging” the West in order to gain respect internationally and alter negative impressions of the continent.
“If we stop being beggars and spend African money inside the continent, Africa will not need to ask for respect from anyone, we will get the respect we deserve. If we make it prosperous as it should be, respect will follow,” Mr Akufo-Addo made the remarks during the opening of the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC on Tuesday.
In order to meet common ambitions, Mr. Akufo-Addo encouraged stronger unity among Africans.
In order to help Ghana deal with an unprecedented economic downturn, the International Monetary Fund agreed to grant Ghana a $3 billion (£2.4 billion) loan on the day Nana Akufo-Addo made his statements.
Ghana, which already has a high level of debt, is experiencing historic inflation of more than 40%, a decline in the value of its currency, the cedi, and other economic problems made worse by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
For a significant summit that President Biden is hosting, close to 50 African leaders and representatives are in Washington, DC.
It is the focal point of a significant initiative to reestablish and strengthen American relations with African nations, whose interactions with China and increasingly with Russia have come under investigation.
