Veep reflects on Nkrumah’s vision at Shanghai forum

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reflected on the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, calling for stronger institutions and more effective governance across the Global South.

She made the remarks when she addressed the 2026 Global South Academic Forum in Shanghai, China, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”

“From the Pan-African vision of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to liberation movements across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, our shared history reminds us that political independence is only the beginning. The greater task is to build strong institutions, productive economies and systems that respond to our people’s aspirations," she stated.

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Reflecting on the struggles for independence across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said gaining political freedom was only the first step towards building strong institutions and productive economies.

She said political parties and governments had a responsibility to strengthen accountability and improve their ability to meet the needs of their people.

"Political parties, governments, universities and other institutions must continually evolve, strengthen accountability and build the capacity to respond to changing realities," she noted.

She urged participants at the forum to learn from one another, even when they disagreed, and to focus on practical ways of addressing their countries’ development challenges.

See the post below:

Today in Shanghai, China, I addressed the 2026 Global South Academic Forum, convened under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”

At the opening, I reflected on the historical struggles that shaped the Global South, particularly the pursuit of political independence and the right of nations to determine their own futures. From the Pan-African vision of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to liberation movements across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, our shared history reminds us that political independence is only the beginning. The greater task is to build strong institutions, productive economies and systems that respond to our people’s aspirations.

Similarly, winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility. Political parties, governments, universities and other institutions must continually evolve, strengthen accountability and build the capacity to respond to changing realities.

China’s development experience offers valuable lessons in long-term planning, industrialisation and institutional coordination. At the same time, meaningful South-South cooperation must be grounded in mutual learning rather than the assumption that countries must follow identical development paths. Our different histories and circumstances require solutions that reflect our realities.

I also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation across research, education, technology and innovation. As artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape our economies, universities and research institutions across the Global South must collaborate more directly, share knowledge, and develop solutions that meet our societies’ needs.

We also need a more representative and equitable international order. The Global South must work towards better multilateralism, with fairer global financial arrangements, stronger representation in international institutions, and greater participation in shaping decisions that affect our countries.

Cooperation does not require us to think alike. We must have the confidence to disagree respectfully, learn from one another’s successes and failures, and continue working together towards shared goals. I encourage the Forum to sustain the intellectual partnerships and honest exchanges needed to move beyond familiar debates and towards practical solutions.

— Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (@NJOAgyemang) October 17, 2026

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