US VP Kamala Harris Delivers Speech at Blackstar Gate in Accra, Ghana
U.S. OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
africa-related new york
Information about the Vice President’s speech at Blackstar Gate, including excerpts, are below.
On background attributed to a White House Official:
Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks to thousands of young people at Blackstar Gate in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday, March 27.
The Vice President will express her optimism about the future of Africa, and by extension, the world, because of the ingenuity, and creativity that is prevalent across the continent, especially in young people.
The speech centers around the theme of innovation—and she will argue that alongside our African partners, we all must invest in innovation on the continent, which will unlock growth and opportunity and provide global benefits.
She will highlight innovative developments taking place across the continent and make clear that they are benefitting the entire world—from tech, agriculture, clean energy, and science. The Vice President is using her platform to call more global attention to the dynamism and entrepreneurship across the continent.
The Vice President will also outline three areas in particular that are a focus for her trip and moving forward—areas where she believes we must make progress to unlock even more innovation: the empowerment of women, digital inclusion, and good governance and democracy.
On the empowerment of women, the Vice President will argue that women around the world must be able to full participate in economic, political, and social life, that they must be able to participate equally, including in leadership roles. She will make the case that this is key to maximizing global growth and opportunity, and will call for progress in addressing gender disparities.
On digital inclusion, the Vice President will make clear that digital services are essential to 21st century economies, and while there are places on the continent of Africa that lead the world in digital solutions, other parts of the continent lag behind. She will make the case that we must expand access to the internet and ensure African people fully benefit from connectivity, whether that is access to education, access to information, or access to financial services. She will commit to work the private sector to unleash growth and opportunity and increase digital inclusion on the continent.
On good governance and democracy, the Vice President will argue that alongside our African partners, we must support and invest in good governance and democracy. She will outline the benefits of good governance for investments. She will underscore the desires of African people for democracy, which we share, and outline the benefits, including freedom and opportunity.
In addition, the Vice President will outline our approach to partnership with African nations and African people, building on President Biden’s statement at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022 that “we’re all in on Africa.”
The Vice President will make clear that our Administration will strengthen partnerships across the continent—with governments, the private sector, civil society, and young people.
Excerpts
Quotes Attributed to Vice President Kamala Harris:
“So, then what does it mean that the United States of America is All In.
“That means the United States is committed to strengthen our partnerships across the continent of Africa—partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society and all of you, partnerships based on openness, inclusiveness, candor, shared interests, and mutual benefits.
“And to be clear, America will be guided not by what we can do FOR our African partners, but what we can do WITH our African partners.
“Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. And today I will speak about one particular area of opportunity: Investment in innovation.
“Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. And today I will speak about one particular area of opportunity: Investment in innovation.
“Innovation is the pursuit of what can be, unburdened by what has been.
“Innovation results in one’s ability not only to see but do things differently: new methods, new products, new approaches, new ideas.
“We innovate to be more effective and to solve problems. From the invention of new technology,
to the origin of social movements, innovation has come about by challenging the premise, questioning the status quo, and bold thinking.
“And to the young leaders here today, you by your very nature are dreamers and innovators. And to you I say, it is your spark, your creativity, and your determination that will drive the future.
“And with that African ideas and innovations will shape the future of the world, and so we must invest
in African ingenuity and creativity, which will unlock incredible economic growth and opportunities-- not only for the people of the 54 countries that make up this diverse continent, but also for the American people and people around the world.
“So, the Biden-Harris Administration and the American people stand ready to partner with you to help accelerate the innovation and entrepreneurship that is already underway.”