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President Akufo-Addo Leads Call to Double IDA Funding at Nairobi Summit
In an address at the 2024 International Development Association (IDA) Summit held in Nairobi, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana emerged as a leading voice, advocating for a groundbreaking initiative: the doubling of funding for the IDA.
Amidst a backdrop of global challenges, President Akufo-Addo’s clarion call for increased support to the IDA reverberated throughout the summit halls, igniting discussions on the imperative of bolstering international development efforts.
President Akufo-Addo’s passioned plea underscored the urgent need for enhanced financial resources to confront the daunting infrastructure deficit plaguing African nations.
Quoting figures from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the President highlighted Africa’s infrastructure needs, estimated at a staggering $130 billion to $170 billion annually, with a yawning financing gap of $68 billion to $108 billion. Such disparities, he emphasised, hinder economic growth, stifle progress, and perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.
Central to the President’s argument was the pivotal role of the IDA in providing concessional financing to bridge the resource gap and facilitate sustainable development.
Against the backdrop of mounting debt distress and the far-reaching impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, President Akufo-Addo stressed that doubling IDA funding was not merely an option but an imperative for African nations striving to navigate these intersecting crises.
Drawing from Ghana’s own experiences, particularly its engagement in debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, President Akufo-Addo elucidated the challenges facing countries grappling with debt burdens. He emphasised that doubling IDA resources would not only alleviate debt pressures but also enable nations to address pressing developmental needs, from infrastructure investment to climate resilience and social protection.
The President’s advocacy for doubling IDA funding resonated with summit participants, who echoed his sentiments on the need for bold and transformative action. Recognising that development efforts require sustained, long-term investment.
President Akufo-Addo called upon the international community to seize the opportunity presented by the IDA replenishment to mobilise resources, forge partnerships, and chart a course toward inclusive and sustainable development.
As the summit concluded, President Akufo-Addo’s call to double IDA funding reverberated as a rallying cry for solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. With the stakes high and the need urgent, the President’s visionary leadership set the stage for a renewed commitment to building a brighter future for all.
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana Tourism Authority is leading Ghana’s participation at ITB Berlin, which opened in Berlin with a vibrant national pavilion highlighting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, tourism destinations and investment opportunities.
March 5 has been designated as Ghana Day, a special platform to promote Ghana’s languages, cuisine, Kente, festivals and business prospects to the global tourism community. The stand has already drawn strong interest with traditional arts and crafts displays, immersive multimedia presentations and popular Ghanaian snacks.
Seven private-sector players are exhibiting alongside government officials as part of efforts to deepen trade partnerships, expand market access, and attract investment across the hospitality, heritage tourism, ecotourism, and creative arts sectors.
Ahead of the official opening, the Ghana delegation also engaged young Ghanaian investors in Germany in collaboration with V Afrika-Verein and the Ghana Embassy, strengthening diaspora investment linkages and highlighting opportunities within the tourism value chain.
Ghana’s coordinated presence at ITB Berlin 2026 reinforces its strategy to position the country as the Gateway to Africa and a competitive destination for leisure travel and global investment.
