Education in science, technology, and innovation should be the centre of Africa’s attempt to modernise and develop, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

“We have no doubt that at the centre of Africa’s attempt to modernise and develop is education. It is the centrepiece of our thinking. Even in the political documents that have been put out in our manifesto, education, especially in science, technology and innovation are the very centre of our vision of what can happen to Ghana,” Nana Akufo-Addo said on Friday January 13 when he received the president of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib, at the Flagstaff House in Accra.

Speaking about Ghana-Mauritius relations, Mr Akufo-Addo called for the urgent need to activate some agreements between the two countries that have remained dormant for the mutual benefit of both countries.

“My predecessor visited your country last year and in the process we signed several accords like the [visa-free entry into both countries] and others too were signed, but so far, we haven’t really seen much progress. I think it’s important that we try and do so and then the joint commission that exists between us be activated as soon as possible so that we can get concrete results from these undertakings. We recognise you as a very successful economy in Africa and I think there is a lot that the Ghanaian people can benefit from the relationship with Mauritius,” he noted.

Ms Gurib on her part said she was in the country to deepen bilateral relations with Ghana and also launch an initiative aimed at building and empowering the African youth with skills and opportunities to reach their potential.

“I’m here to launch this initiative which I think is going to be one of the catalysts that we need to really kick start and empower the youth of our continent through building their talent, through building their potential, and empower them with the necessary tools and the means that we have so that they may put value to the main resource that this continent has,” she stated, adding: “The main resources of this continent rest with the youth and the human capital, and we have the responsibility to empower them so that we create an Africa that we want,” she expressed.

Touching on relations with Ghana, Ms Gurib said: “I’m also here to promote our joint bilateral relationship between the two countries. Initiatives have been taken to enhance mobility between Ghana and Mauritius through, for example, no visa to both nationals, and I think this is a very important step to promote mobility on the continent where we can move with passports without any problem.

She noted that Mauritius has few things to contribute and bring to the table in terms of bilateral exchanges and “we like to put this before our Ghanaian brothers and sisters and see to how we can promote the economy”.