The second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues - a platform for discussing issues, forming formidable partnerships and committing to achieving the 'Africa Beyond Aid' agenda envisioned by the African Union (AU) kicks off today at Aburi in the Eastern Region. The three-day event, which would be attended by some African heads of States and top business, political, thought leaders and development partners is on the theme: 'Delivering prosperity in Africa: produce, add value, trade.' It is being held under the auspices of the African Prosperity Network and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. Presidents expected at the event include Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Guyana, Macky Sall, Senegal, Faure Gnassingbe, Togo, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Guinea-Bissau and Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia. The summit would feature a retreat among business executives, thought leaders and senior policies on the continent, a high level presidential and business executives dialog ue, a presidential gala and the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards. There would also be the lighting of the Africa Trade Torch - a private sector initiative to champion the realisation of AfCFTA among African Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), women and youth. Thematic areas for the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogues include agriculture and food sovereignty, natural resources and value addition, manufacturing, infrastructure and ICT, finance and investment, and transport and logistics. Mr Gabby Otchere-Darko, Founder/Executive Chairman, African Prosperity Network, has explained that the summit was aimed at changing the narrative and focusing on the prosperity of the continent. Speaking at a press conference in Accra ahead of this year's Africa Prosperity Dialogues, Mr Otchere-Darko called for 'a big push within the first 10 years of the agreement coming into force [2021 and 2031] to achieve Africa's economic integration.' Dr Eugene Owusu, Board Member, African Prosperity Network, encouraged busines s and political leaders to work together to transform Africa's development misfortunes. That, he said, would be achieved by scaling up production, adding value to the Africa's rich and enormous natural resources, and addressing the obstacles and deepening intra-continental trade. Mr Silver Ojakol, Chief of Staff of the AfCFTA Secretariat, called for improved connection between business and political leaders to engender actions that would increase productivity, value addition, and intra-continental trade. He noted that the AfCFTA Secretariat was working assiduously to make the aspiration of the trade pact come alive, and help in achieving the AU's goal of lifting some 100 million people on the continent out of poverty. Source: Ghana News Agency Peoples Church in Kerugoya town has initiated guidance, counselling, and mentorship program for over 200 youth, in its Weekly Wednesday service. Youth who work in Jua Kali industry and street children gather for the spiritual nourishment and have lunch together with the Apostle Francis Wanderi. The lunch service started by Bishop Mary Wanderi, has been of help to youth as it teaches them how to live with each other thus minimizing conflict. 'Mentorship is a powerful tool for empowerment for the boy child. As a Church, we are the role models for them, so we guide and inspire them. Men don't speak about their problems, and we cannot allow them to die silent,' Bishop said. She called for more programmes from Non- governmental organisations in support of boy-child empowerment and commended the good work done by Her Excellency Pastor Dorcus Gachangua, who has been advocating for boy-child empowerment all over the country. She said that as a church, they have been having different programmes every year, but t he Wednesday lunch service is running weekly. 'We have been having different programmes like eye checkups, People with Disabilities Day, and the elderly. The reason we have all this is to empower those who are less fortunate in society, and we have seen positive feedback from society,' he said. He called on youth not to associate themselves with drug abuse and advised those who may be having challenges quitting drug use to take advantage of such services. Justin Murimi, a mechanic, has said he was among the very first people to attend the Wednesday lunch service, and since then he has seen a lot of change in his life. 'I have been taught how to handle my life, and I can confidently say I have been saving that little I have made in a day, and I can see a bright future ahead. I don't have family, but with the kind of teaching I get here, when I become a family man, I will be a responsible father,' he said. Source: Kenya News Agency
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