Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah has called for a radical continental paradigm shift from dependent Africa to a more self sufficient and reliance continent.
According to him, as Africa looks an Accra Declaration and towards the AU Decade of Justice and Reparations, African must redefine its paths to success.
“Let us commit that Africa will no longer be a petitioner for repair, but an architect of restoration”.
He said Africa must commit to institutional reforms that has the interest of the citizens at heart.
“Let us commit to institutions that outlive speeches — a continental reparations fund anchored in African capital, clear legal and cultural restitution mechanisms, and trade and industrial policies that make ownership real”.
The Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah made the remarks on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 when delivered the keynote address on behalf of President, John Dramani Mahama at the opening of Elevate Africa Annual Convening 2026 under the theme: AFRICA: DEFINING HER FUTURE.
He further charged delegates to commit to restoring the dignity of the African people.
“let us commit that this repair will be measurable not in declarations, but in dignity restored to our people, in ownership returned to our communities, and in citizenship extended to our global family”
Dr. Julius Debrah was of the firm conviction that Africa was not bereft of opportunities but need for stronger connections between resources, capital and leadership.
“Africa does not lack potential. Africa does not lack solutions. What Africa needs are stronger connections between our resources, our capital, our leadership, and our opportunities” he said.
Drawing the linkage between Africa’s opportunities Africa’s single market of single market of about 1.3–1.4 billion people, Dr. Julius Debrah called for a greater leveraging on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to maximize opportunities at a time Africa is rigorously pursuing reparatory justice.
“If we link reparatory justice to AfCFTA implementation, to our creative economy, to cultural restitution, and to stronger Africa-Diaspora citizenship, we turn a diplomatic moment into a durable programme of repair”.
