Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang led a Ghanaian delegation to Shanghai, China, from October 15 to 19, 2026, at the invitation of East China Normal University. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied her on the working visit. The trip aimed to strengthen ties between Ghana and China, focusing on Global South reform and industrialization.
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum, held on October 17, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The forum's theme was "Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation." Prof. Opoku-Agyemang delivered a keynote address, emphasizing that political independence is only the beginning and that effective governance is a separate responsibility.
In her address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism, and reform of the global financial architecture. She advocated for an end to debt traps, fair risk assessments, and climate policies that respect different national circumstances. The Vice-President's message resonated with the audience, highlighting the need for collective action among Global South nations.
On October 18, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana's 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. She warned that training youth without factories creates unemployment and appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area market. The Vice-President prioritized value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut, and timber.
During the visit, Ghana's Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders. They praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit. The dinner provided an opportunity for networking and further discussions on Ghana-China relations.
Throughout the trip, Deputy Minister James Gyakye Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana's jobs and transformation agenda. His role ensured that the visit was productive and yielded tangible outcomes for Ghana. The successful visit has paved the way for future collaborations between Ghana and China.
The visit concluded on October 19, 2026, with the Ghanaian delegation returning home. Key outcomes of the trip include strengthened ties with China, new partnerships, and a renewed commitment to Global South reform and industrialization. The visit demonstrated Ghana's commitment to fostering international cooperation and promoting economic development.
Key points
- Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called for stronger South-South cooperation and reform of the global financial architecture.
- The Vice-President linked Ghana's 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization and appealed for factories to be established in Ghana.
- The visit yielded tangible outcomes for Ghana, including new partnerships and a renewed commitment to Global South reform and industrialization.
