Ghana to host Accelerate Africa’s Growth Conference

Ghana is preparing to host the Accelerate Africa’s Growth Conference (AAGC), a high-level Pan-African forum aimed at driving economic transformation through the empowerment of women, youth, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The event, being organised by the Timeless Women of Wonder – Africa (TWOW-Africa), a Pan-African development organisation focused on inclusive economic growth, is scheduled to take place from May 24 to 27 in Accra.

Held annually and rotated among African countries, this year’s edition will be held on the theme: “Winning with Women and Youth”. It aims to shift Africa from dialogue to action through simplified, implementable outcomes.

Activities
The event will commence with a Breakfast Forum for African Women of Influence on May 24, and the main conference will officially open on Africa Day, May 25, with a public celebration at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.

The conference will bring together delegates from across the continent and the diaspora, including representatives from Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Caribbean, among others.

President John Dramani Mahama will serve as the Chief Guest of Honour and will officially open the conference.

Empowerment
Speaking at a press conference in Accra to announce the event, the Convener of the conference, Nyakan June, said the event would offer practical, solution-driven sessions aimed at transforming ideas into tangible programmes.

She noted that top African corporate executives, policy influencers, private-sector leaders and development experts were expected to lead discussions, all focused on empowering the key drivers of the continent’s economy—women, youth, and SMEs.

“Although these groups are the major contributors to Africa’s economic activity, they are rarely placed at the centre of decision-making.

This conference seeks to change that by fostering direct engagement between these groups and policymakers,” she said.

“The African people are the real dignitaries of this event.

This is our story, and now is the time to write it together.

We are convening a movement for action, not just a policy, and not just promises.

It’s time to accelerate Africa’s growth by placing the right people at the centre of change,” she said.

Role of the diaspora
The Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, also noted that the platform was not just an event, but a springboard for innovation, policy dialogue and investment.

He said the conference also aligned closely with the priorities of his office—particularly its focus on amplifying the role of the diaspora in national development.

Mr Darko indicated that the diaspora remained a vital asset in Africa’s journey of transformation and the continent could not do without their contributions, not only in the form of remittances, but also through skills, networks, capital, and influence.

He said platforms such as AAGC were, therefore, critical in bridging the gap between the diaspora and the homeland, creating meaningful channels for collaboration.

“As a stakeholder, the Diaspora Affairs Office will continue to facilitate connections between the diaspora and key government ministries, institutions, and agencies to drive diaspora-led investments across sectors that align with the goals of this conference,” Mr Darko stated.