Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has arrived in Barcelona to participate in the 4th High-Level Meeting of the “In Defence of Democracy Initiative,” a global platform aimed at strengthening democratic governance.
The summit, scheduled for April 18, 2026, is being hosted by the Spanish government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and is expected to draw a number of world leaders and senior government officials.
Among those set to attend are Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, highlighting the growing global interest in collaborative democratic governance.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang is expected to speak at the meeting, where discussions will centre on protecting democratic institutions in the face of emerging global challenges. Key issues on the agenda include tackling disinformation, safeguarding digital systems, addressing extremism, and ensuring the ethical application of artificial intelligence.
Ghana’s presence at the summit underscores its increasing role in international democratic discourse, particularly within the West African sub-region. The gathering will also explore avenues for enhanced cooperation between Africa and Latin America, focusing on governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
The “In Defence of Democracy Initiative,” launched in 2024, continues to serve as a key forum for coordinated international action to protect democratic values. Previous editions of the meeting were held in New York City in 2024 and Santiago in 2025.
Ahead of the main summit, the Vice President is scheduled to engage with the management of GB Foods as part of efforts to strengthen economic and corporate relations.
She will also attend a global progressive mobilisation leaders’ dinner at the National Art Museum of Catalonia on April 17.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang is expected to wrap up her visit on April 19 with an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Spain, bringing her official trip to a close.
