Olu of Warri, Queen Consort arrive in Ghana to join Prof Naana Jane, others for Africa convening

His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri Kingdom and Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, have arrived in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the 2026 Elevate Africa Convening.

The gathering, scheduled to take place at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, will bring together prominent African leaders, policymakers, business executives and other stakeholders to discuss the continent's future.

The main convening, slated for October 28 and 29, forms part of activities scheduled from October 26 to 29, 2026.

Among the high-profile personalities expected to participate are Ghana's Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; President of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio and former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Held under the theme "Africa: Defining Her Future," the convening will provide a platform for discussions on Africa's economic and social transformation, with particular emphasis on trade, governance, investment, culture and the creative economy.

Other distinguished personalities confirmed for the event include former President of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda, former President of Mauritius, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor.

The ministerial delegation will include Ghana's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; and Egypt's Minister of Planning, Ahmed Rostom.

Kenya's former Minister of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, Martha Karua, is also expected to participate.

Senior officials from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat will equally attend the convening.

They include the Secretariat's Chief of Staff, Rui Livramento; Senior Trade Economist, Dr Tei Kitcher; and Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General, Constance Besse-Moser.

Their participation is expected to enrich discussions on continental integration, intra-African trade and the implementation of Africa's broader economic development agenda.

The event is expected to attract between 400 and 600 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora.

Discussions will focus on four key pillars: Leadership and Governance; Trade, Investment and Doing Business in Africa; Youth Opportunity and Leadership; and the Diaspora, Return, Creative Economy and Soft Power.

Participants will explore critical issues, including the implementation of the AfCFTA, regional investment opportunities, the growth of Africa's creative industries, youth participation in leadership and the role of the diaspora in driving the continent's economic transformation.

The convening is also expected to facilitate strategic partnerships, strengthen cross-border collaboration and promote innovative approaches to addressing Africa's development challenges.

AM

Inside Ghana’s First 950,000-Barrel Sankofa Oil Shipment | Exclusive Tour



“We Can’t Adapt to This New Road Technology” | Ghanaians React to TRAFFITECH-GH