Invest in African ingenuity and creativity for economic growth – Kamala Harris tells youth

By Vanessa Okialey Vanderpuye  Photos by Ahmed Martey Richard & Prince Fidel Boussagou

March 28, 2023. Independence Square, ACCRA: United States of America Vice President Kamala Harris has promised a new era in U.S and Ghana’s partnership. She says this new era will promote innovation and women’s empowerment, develop the digital economy, and support democracy.

“Students, entrepreneurs, activists, advocates”, the first female U.S. Vice President charged. “It is my extraordinary honor to be with you…I don’t need to tell you the median age on the African continent is 19. By 2050, one in four people in the entire world will be on this very continent.  One in four. That, of course, means what happens on this continent impacts the entire world. Seeing all of you here today makes me so optimistic and excited about this future. The energy, the dynamism, and the potential that each of you embody. And that is why I am here today”.

She made this statement Tuesday morning at the Black Star Gate, Accra, before thousands of Ghanaian tertiary students and major media, with millions more watching on screens in their various homes. Bottles of cool water, hand fans and miniature American and Ghanaian flags were served to cool the assembled who stood through four-hour event under the 32-degree Celsius sun.

Ghana is the first of her tour of three African countries. The other two are Tanzania and Zambia.

Kamala Harris stressed on Africa’s importance to the world as Africa plays a critical role on issues of global importance such as food security, the climate crisis, public health, and education, among others.

America’s first vice president of color said there are longstanding ties between Ghanaians and Americans.

“We have an intertwined history, some of which is painful and some of which is prideful, and all of which we must acknowledge, teach, and never forget. Because of this history, this continent, of course, has a special significance for me personally as the first Black Vice President of the United States of America”.

She said this three-nation trip is to strengthen the bonds between America and the African continent, a partnership she described as “based on openness, inclusiveness, candor, shared interests, and mutual benefits”.

Kamala Harris said investment innovation is a particular area of opportunity for Africa.

“From the invention of new technology, to the origin of social movements, innovation has come about by challenging the premise, questioning the status quo, and bold thinking. And so we must invest in the African ingenuity and creativity, which will unlock incredible economic growth and opportunities, not only for the people of the 54 countries that make up this diverse continent, but for the American people and people around the world.’

So the Biden-Harris administration and the American people stand ready to partner with you, to help accelerate the innovation and entrepreneurship that is already underway,” she stated.

Kamala Harris added that it is important that Africa make progress in three key areas:

‘The empowerment of women, digital inclusion, and good governance and democracy, all of which have the potential to create even more innovation, innovation that will unlock new jobs, new industries, and exponential growth. All of which have the potential to create even more innovation, innovation that will unlock new jobs, new industries, and exponential growth”.

In conclusion, the vice president encouraged Ghanaian youth to aspire to make their dreams come true so as to build the African continent.