On 12 December 2018, UNU will host “An Alternative Model for Africa’s Development: East Asia” a conversation with H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. This event will start at 6:30 p.m. at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
Emerging economies have unique development requirements. Many states, such as the Republic of Ghana, hope to engineer social and economic growth not through aid, but on a foundation of proper resource management. This includes policies that allow for governments to intervene judiciously in development and economic programmes, including productivity improvement initiatives. Countries in East Asia, such as Japan, have demonstrated significant success with this model. What benefits does this model provide over others? How would such a model link with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?
President Akufo-Addo will join UNU Rector David M. Malone to discuss how the East Asian development model can be adapted to improve economic growth and sustainable development in the Republic of Ghana, and more widely across Africa.
The UNU Conversation Series aims to foster audience participation: you are encouraged to engage with the speakers during the conversation and at the reception that will follow, where all audience members are invited to enjoy the food and drinks that will be served while exchanging ideas and making new contacts.
This event will be in English with Japanese simultaneous interpretation. Advance registration (by 11 December) is required.
More event information here
About the speaker
H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the President of the Republic of Ghana. He assumed office on 7 January 2017, after winning the election of December 2016. He has previously served his country in various capacities, including as Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Foreign Affairs and as a Member of Parliament.
President Akufo-Addo was appointed in 2017 to serve as Co-Chair of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals Advocates. In this role, he works with his fellow Advocates to promote the engagement of new stakeholders, encourage cross-sectoral and international partnerships, and to raise awareness. Having been reappointed to this role in October 2018, President Akufo-Addo is set to serve as Co-Chair of the Advocates until December 2020. He is also the recipient of several leadership awards.
President Akufo-Addo is a lawyer by profession and was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) in 1971. He is married and has five daughters.