The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said that the world will respect Africa only when it detaches itself from aid and handouts from the west.
According to him, Africa must emancipate itself from freebies and strive for investments and favourable partnerships.
“Africans will only get the respect of the rest of the world if we emancipate ourselves economically. We don’t have to take begging bowls around the world. We should look for investment, cooperation and partnerships,” Dr Bawumia said.
The Vice President made the remarks when he addressed a gathering at the Africa Leadership University in Mauritius on how to unlock the leadership potential of the continent.
He added that the continent must take advantage of education to unlock its leadership potential and set examples in various fields.
Dr. Bawumia has consistently emphasized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s plan of going into key partnerships and weaning the country from aid which the government believes does not enhance national development.
At the recent World Government Summit held in Dubai, UAE, he said the government wants a relationship with the international community driven by trade rather than aid.
Dr Bawumia is in Mauritius as a special guest to celebrate the country’s Independence anniversary.
His three-day-stay will see him hold bilateral talks with Her Excellency Mrs Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister and other senior officials of the Mauritius government.
He is expected to return to Ghana on Monday, March 13, 2017.
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(Nana Kwesi)