Joana Gyan Cudjoe Pushes Bold Africa Funding Strategy at Brussels Forum
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, joined Ghana's delegation at the Africa Days 2026 forum in Brussels, participating alongside the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, Hon. Fifi Kwetey, at the high-level gathering of African and European leaders.
The event focused on strengthening Africa-Europe relations through dialogue on trade, infrastructure, investment, sustainable development and strategic partnerships.
Speaking during a panel session on "Financing Africa's Infrastructure Gap," Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe urged African governments to adopt a pragmatic approach to development financing, arguing that the continent must not allow the pursuit of ideal funding conditions to delay critical infrastructure projects.
"If we wait only for 'perfect' money, our roads, rail lines, hospitals and digital infrastructure will keep waiting too. We should take calculated risks in accessing China loans where the terms support projects that create jobs and local value. At the same time, we must leverage EU grants and concessional funding for areas like green energy, health and education," she said.
The Ghanaian lawmaker stressed that the real challenge for African governments is not avoiding risk altogether but managing it responsibly through transparency, sound negotiations and accountability.
"The key is not to avoid risk, but to manage it: negotiate transparent terms, tie loans to projects with clear economic returns, and ensure technology transfer and local participation."
Drawing from the realities of her constituency, she said infrastructure investment has a direct impact on economic opportunities and livelihoods.
"For constituencies like mine in Ghana, the difference between a risk taken and an opportunity lost is a bridge built, a market connected, or a factory powered," she told delegates.
Her remarks prompted discussion among policymakers, development partners and participants, many of whom agreed that African countries should diversify their sources of development financing while safeguarding fiscal sustainability and long-term national interests.
The two-day Africa Days 2026 forum concluded with renewed calls for stronger and more balanced partnerships between Africa and the European Union, emphasizing cooperation built on equality, shared prosperity and sustainable development.
0 Comments