Speakers at the Africa Young Diplomats Forum (AYDF) International Diplomatic Leadership Conference in Accra yesterday emphasised the importance of soft diplomacy in advancing regional economic integration, strengthening partnerships and achieving sustainable development across Africa.
The conference, held on the theme: “Soft Diplomacy as a Strategic Tool for Regional Economic Integration, Cooperative Partnerships and Sustainable Development within the Framework of Agenda 2063,” brought together emerging leaders, diplomats, policymakers and youth advocates from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on the continent’s future.
Delivering the keynote address, the Secretary-General of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), Prof. Tunji John Asaolu, described soft diplomacy as a critical tool for fostering cooperation, unity and sustainable growth on the continent.
He said Africa’s development aspirations could only be realised through strategic partnerships and collective action among countries on the continent.
Prof. Asaolu noted that Agenda 2063 represented Africa’s roadmap towards prosperity, self-reliance and integration, and stressed that both current leaders and the youth had a responsibility to sustain the vision of earlier generations.
He added that Africa’s future depended on the ability of its people to work together, build bridges and strengthen regional cooperation through diplomacy.
The Youth Keynote Speaker and Junior Diplomat Global Head of Mission of AYDF Global, Ambassador Hiwot Tariku Goshu, called on young Africans to move beyond observing change to becoming active agents of transformation.
According to her, Africa’s youthful population was a major strategic asset that must be harnessed to drive development.
She noted that modern diplomacy required empathy, innovation and cross-border collaboration to address challenges such as climate change, unemployment and technological transformation.
Ambassador Goshu urged young people not to allow age or circumstance to limit their ambitions, stressing that the future of Africa would be shaped by actions taken today.
Founder and President, Brazil-Ghana Chmaber of Commerce, Edinam Adjei-Sika for her part noted that diplomacy extends beyond government offices and conference rooms to building relationships through culture, education, dialogue, business, and mutual respect.
Speaking on the theme: “Soft Diplomacy As a Strategic Tool for Regional Economic Integration, and Sustainable Development, Mrs Adjei-Sika reiterated that diplomacy is about winning hearts before signing agreements.
“It is about creating trust before pursuing transactions. It is about building relationships that outlast political administrations and economic cycles,” she added.
Turning her attention to economic integration, Mrs Adjei-Sika explained that while trade agreements, infrastructure, customs procedures, and regulations were often the focus, economic integration begins when people trust one another across borders.
She said Africa embarked on one of the most ambitious economic projects in modern history through the African Continental Free Trade Area- which
presents a tremendous opportunity to create a more integrated, competitive, and prosperous Africa.
However, Mrs Adjei-Sika added that trade agreements alone do not create integration- people and businesses create integration.
On lessons from the Brazil-Ghana relationship, she said the two countrires may be separated by an ocean, “but we are connected by history, culture, and people.”
She continued:”Many of the opportunities we have created did not begin with contracts or negotiations:they began with conversations, with curiosity and they began with people wanting to understand one another.”
She urged participants to use diplomacy not only to represent nations, but also to connect them because the future of Africa will not be built by those who merely cross borders.
Mrs Adjei-Sika enumerated three lessons- building relationships before they are need, strong networks through trust, consistency, and genuine engagement, developing cultural intelligence- the ability to understand and work with people from different backgrounds and thinking beyond borders.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, who was the special guest of honour, highlighted the importance of social protection and inclusive leadership in promoting peace and sustainable development.
She said programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative and school feeding interventions had contributed significantly to social stability and national development.
The minister also cited the passage of the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, as a major step towards addressing barriers to women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.
She stressed the need to ensure that women, children and persons with disabilities were fully included in national and regional development efforts.
Ms Lartey commended the forum for equipping young leaders with the diplomatic and leadership skills needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
The Convener and Global Executive Director of AYDF Global, Diplomat Taiwo Julius Sanusi, encouraged participants to take advantage of the networking and mentorship opportunities provided by the forum.
Sharing his personal journey into diplomacy, he urged young people to be proactive and seize opportunities that could transform their lives and careers.
He explained that the forum was designed to prepare future diplomats and leaders through practical engagement and diplomatic simulations, while promoting the vision of “The Africa We Want.”
Participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Canada and the United States attended the conference, which ended with a renewed call for unity, dialogue and collaboration as essential tools for achieving Africa’s development goals under Agenda 2063.
BY ENOCH NTIAMOAH SIAW
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