Ghana’s Vice President challenges Global South to redefine development
By: Henrietta Avollah Afful Ghana’s Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called on countries of the Global South to move beyond the achievements of political independence and focus on building strong institutions, productive economies and effective governance systems that respond to the needs and aspirations of their people. Addressing the 2026 Global South Academic […]
Ghana's Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has urged the countries of the Global South to redefine development beyond mere political independence. Speaking at the 2026 Global South Academic Forum in Shanghai, China, the Vice President emphasized the need for strong institutions, productive economies, and effective governance systems that cater to the people's needs.
She stressed that securing political power and governing efficiently are separate tasks that demand ongoing institutional reform, accountability, and adaptation.
Reflecting on historical struggles for self-determination and drawing inspiration from China's development journey, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang proposed a model of South-South cooperation based on mutual learning instead of applying universal development strategies. She advocated for increased collaboration in education, research, technology, and innovation, alongside reforms to international institutions and financial systems to ensure the Global South has a more substantial influence on decisions impacting its future.
The Vice President's primary message was that the Global South's next development chapter should be defined not only by political sovereignty but also by the ability to govern effectively, innovate, and contribute to a more equitable global order.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
