Experts, diplomats discuss structural barriers to Africa’s global influence
Experts, diplomats and policymakers will converge on the Africa Future Leaders Institute of Global Affairs (AFLIGA) 6th Fireside Dialogue to interrogate the structural and historical barriers limiting Africa’s influence in global decision-making processes.
The dialogue, scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Accra in commemoration of African Union Day, is on the theme: “Africa’s Role and Agency in Global Affairs: Past, Present and Future – Prospects and Challenges.”
The Executive Director of AFLIGA, Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, said the event sought to critically examine Africa’s evolving position in global affairs and explore practical pathways towards a more unified continental voice on international issues.
He said despite the African Union’s (AU’s) mandate to ensure a collective African stance on global matters, the continent continued to face significant fragmentation, with many countries pursuing bilateral engagements instead of coordinated positions.
“So, when it comes to critical global issues, Africa does not have a common position,” he said, stressing the need to reassess how the continent could strengthen its agency in international relations.
Mr Dei-Tumi further indicated that the dialogue would provide a platform to interrogate Africa’s historical experiences, current realities and future prospects in global governance, with a focus on how to deepen continental cooperation.
He explained that one of the key outcomes of the forum would be the development of a policy communiqué aimed at guiding governments and policy experts towards adopting a more coordinated African approach in global affairs.
African leadership
The event will bring together members of the African diplomatic corps, including the Dean of the Corps, as well as the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who is expected to serve as the Special Guest of Honour.
The Speaker’s engagement, Mr Dei-Tumi emphasised, aligned with his involvement in continental parliamentary initiatives, including the African Speakers Forum.
An international relations expert, Professor Lord Mawuko-Yevugah, will also present a lead paper, which will be reviewed by scholars from South Africa, London Metropolitan University and Ghana, ensuring a broad continental and global academic perspective.
Mr Dei-Tumi stated that the dialogue would also address leadership challenges and the lingering effects of colonial-era divisions, which he described as key structural impediments to African unity.
“We talk about leadership but we have not put in place a critical process of developing leaders that understand the pain our people are going through.
“So, we have leaders that are still talking about bilateral relations that are still talking about self-aggrandisement, self-interest, and what have you. And if you continue to do that, then we are not going to be able to solve the problems that confront us now,” he said.
Mr Dei-Tumi argued that Africa’s colonial legacy had left enduring linguistic, cultural and institutional barriers that continued to complicate consensus-building among states.
The forum will also shed light on the role of women and youth in Africa’s transformation agenda, particularly in addressing unemployment and expanding economic opportunities.
According to the convenor, with a majority of Africa’s population under 35, empowering young people was central to reshaping the continent’s future global relevance.
