The Ghana ‘beyond aid’ policy by President Akufo-Addo has gained global attraction as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has adopted it for its policy direction for the entire African continent.

The adoption was manifested in the UNDP High-Level Dialogue with African influencers held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, today Thursday, the 7th of November, 2019 which was themed, ‘Africa’s Money for African Development: A Future Beyond Aid.’

The high-level dialogue is seeking to explore how Africa can optimize the use of its own resources, creativity and innovation to effectively finance Africa’s development. The dialogue will also examine the future of development in Africa and how to capitalize on the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), as well as the opportunities emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The event is the first of its kind to feature a profound interaction between a select number of Africa’s political, traditional and business leaders. Leading voices in culture, entertainment, media and academia will also be part of the conversation.

UNDP (RBA) Director

In her address to welcome and set the scene for the participants, Ahunna Eziakonwa, the Director Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) UNDP, indicated that President Akufo Addo has clearly shown commitment to the agenda to transform the African continent and make her self-reliant.

“I wish to thank President Akufo Addo for sounding the clarion call asidiously and consistently working towards this goal,” the UN Envoy noted.

President Akufo-Addo

In his opening address, President Akufo Addo said the subject of Ghana Beyond Aid and Africa Beyond Aid, is one that he is passionate about. He noted that the theme for the meeting is the challenge of the current African generation and it is a call to change and re-align the economic structure, change our way of doing things, change our attitudes and above all change our mind set towards Africa’s place in the world.

“When I talk about Ghana or Africa Beyond Aid, I am simply insisting that we use our resources to build robust economies that will propel us into the likes of the developed nations of the world. I am insisting that we stop believing that our deliverance will come from benefactors. I am insisting that we take our fate in our own hands and work to bring us to where we do not look for or expect charity,” President opined.

New Cocoa LIB for Farmers

President Akufo Addo hinted that beginning from the 2021 crop season of cocoa production in Ghana and Ivory Coast, farmers in the two respective countries will be paid a Living Income Differencial (LIB) of four hundred United States dollars ($400).

President Akufo Addo indicated that Ivory Coast and Ghana have agreed initial deals to sell cocoa with a living income premium of $400 a tonne added to the price, in a bid to reform the way global cocoa is priced.

“A Living Income Deferential (LIB) of four hundred United States dollars ($400) per tonne will be paid to farmers for all categories of cocoa beans from Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire starting from the 2021 cocoa crop season when our two countries begin to apply a new price mechanism for the sale of cocoa at $2,600 dollars per tonne,” President Akufo Addo said.

“This policy has found support even from major chocolate producers like Mars, who recognize the need to make the industry sustainable,” President Akufo Addo added.

Focus & Design of the Meeting

It is expected that the high-level dialogue will contribute ideas for implementation of the new AfCFTA Resource Centre, trigger useful debates and discussions about evolving governance models which support African development and transformation, enhance resilience thinking in programme design for development partners and find financing for a development platform to be created for “Africa’s money for African development.”

The event is designed in four (4) sessions namely, the Presidential Session with African influencers, the Money Dialogue, the Traditional Leaders’ Forum, Four Parallel Sessions and the Conference Dinner, featuring the ‘Platform of Possibilities’ spotlight moments with celebrity guests.