Ghana Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for the Global South to pursue a more equitable form of multilateralism, focusing on fairer financial arrangements and increased representation in international bodies. According to MyJoyOnline, she made these remarks during her address at the 2026 Global South Academic Forum in Shanghai, China, which centered on the governance and modernization of political parties in developing regions.
The Vice President argued that effective cooperation does not require identical political views, but rather the confidence to disagree respectfully while working toward shared objectives. MyJoyOnline reported that she described this approach as a "unified voice" that is not necessarily a "uniform voice." She noted that nations must learn from both the successes and failures of their peers, emphasizing that the value of current cooperation lies in the willingness to analyze what has and has not worked in previous development initiatives.
In her speech, Opoku-Agyemang reflected on the historical struggles for political independence, citing the Pan-African vision of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and liberation movements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. She stated that while political independence was a crucial first step, the greater task now is to build strong institutions and productive economies that respond to the aspirations of their citizens. MyJoyOnline noted that she distinguished between winning political power and governing effectively, arguing that the two are related but distinct responsibilities.
The Vice President also highlighted the importance of intellectual partnerships, urging scholars, media organizations, and research institutions to collaborate more closely. She identified artificial intelligence and other emerging digital technologies as tools that could help overcome geographical and language barriers, facilitating the exchange of knowledge. According to the report, she suggested that such collaboration would allow countries to develop solutions tailored to their specific societal needs rather than following identical development paths.
Opoku-Agyemang further called on political parties to invest in policy research to ensure governance continuity beyond individual election cycles. She argued that institutional capacity is essential for translating political commitments into effective policies. MyJoyOnline reported that she concluded by encouraging the forum to sustain honest exchanges and practical solutions, defining the next chapter of the Global South by what its nations build together.