Vice President calls for strengthened ties between Ghana and Vanuatu
The Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has expressed the desire to explore collaborative opportunities between Ghana and Vanuatu that could yield mutual benefits.
She highlighted the importance of positioning Ghana strategically to engage with Vanuatu, particularly in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to stay ahead of technological advancements in the face of the ongoing digital revolution.
The Vice President said this during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Vanuatu Trade Commission Ghana on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in Accra.
The visit was to strengthen bilateral relations between Ghana and the Republic of Vanuatu, with a focus on trade, innovation and identifying shared opportunities for growth and development in both countries.
Discussions also centered on Ghana's preparedness to embrace AI and keep pace with the rapid advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In her comments, the Vice President underscored the need for Ghana to position itself effectively in the AI landscape to ensure future technological readiness. She described the meeting as productive and expressed her commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to further advance the dialogue.
Opportunities
The Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Ambassador Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, spoke about the untapped potential of Vanuatu, emphasizing the nation's remarkable achievements despite its status as a small island country.
He provided an overview of the partnership between the Vanuatu Trade Commission Ghana and the African Diaspora Central Bank (ADCB), focusing on efforts to promote the AKL Lumi currency. Prof. Aryee highlighted the digital currency's circulation through the AI Africa Training Project, where the AKL Lumi is used as an incentive for participants in training programs.
He also updated the Vice President on the successful adoption of the AKL Lumi in Zambia as an alternative currency and shared that discussions are ongoing with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana regarding the potential adoption of the AKL Lumi in Ghana.
Ambassador Prof. Aryee conveyed warm greetings and congratulations from the President and people of Vanuatu to Vice President Opoku-Agyemang on her appointment to office.
AI Africa Training Project
Lead Consultant for the AI Africa Training Project, Dr David King Boison provided a detailed overview of the project’s goal to establish Africa as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He addressed common misconceptions surrounding AI, emphasizing that rather than replacing jobs, it has the potential to generate three times as many employment opportunities.
Dr Boison also urged the Ghanaian government to prioritize AI as a key driver in achieving its vision for a 24-hour economy.
Today I received the Trade Commissioner and Ambassador of Vanuatu to Ghana, Prof. Dr. Hugh Aryee, and his delegation for a courtesy visit.
— Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (@NJOAgyemang) January 22, 2025
He extended his country’s well-wishes and indicated their interest in strengthening collaboration with Ghana.
I thanked him for the visit… pic.twitter.com/Ou0npDImBV