Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, represented Ghana at the 2026 Africa Days forum held in Brussels this week, joining the country’s delegation alongside the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Fifi Kwetey.
The high-level forum brought together African leaders, European Union policymakers, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders to deliberate on financing, trade, infrastructure development, and stronger Africa-EU partnerships aimed at accelerating the continent’s economic growth.
Speaking during a panel discussion on “Financing Africa’s Infrastructure Gap,” Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe called on African countries to adopt a pragmatic approach to development financing, arguing that the continent cannot afford to delay critical infrastructure projects while waiting for ideal funding opportunities.
“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 stressed that the challenge was not avoiding financial risk altogether but managing it responsibly through sound governance and strategic planning.
“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 facing local communities, the MP underscored the tangible impact that well-structured financing can have on livelihoods and economic transformation.
“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.”
Her remarks sparked discussions among delegates, many of whom echoed the need for African nations to diversify their sources of development financing while safeguarding long-term fiscal sustainability and national interests.
The 2026 Africa Days forum concluded with renewed calls for stronger, more balanced partnerships between Africa and the European Union to drive sustainable development, investment, and shared prosperity across the continent.
