The first Harvard Africa Alumni Action Forum kicks off in Ghana with a call to action
Harvard University will host the first Harvard Africa Alumni Action Forum (HAAAF) in Accra, Ghana on 24 – 26 August 2017 where global thought leaders, politicians, business and public leaders, Alumni and friends of Harvard and Africa will gather to address the challenges, successes and discuss the way forward for Africa.
The annual Forum will kick start under the theme Re-imagining Africa: A Call to Action. Africa is currently facing many challenges where one of its key concerns is that of healthcare and the quality of education which are pivotal for the sustainability of all reforms. The Action Forum plans to engage in discussions on ways which Harvard Africa Alumni can collaborate with Ghana and the rest of Africa by contributing to the accelerated development of the continent.
This year marks a milestone for Ghana as it celebrates 60 years of Independence, as well as being the first Sub-Saharan African country to gain independence. Participants at the forum will engage in conversations and reassess ways in which the lives of citizens and communities in Africa can be changed for the better.
One of the main Keynote speakers at this year's forum will be President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana. More than 30 speakers and advisors from other African countries will be attending the conference as well.
The conference aims to strengthen and sustain Harvard's connection in Africa through plans of developing long-term partnerships and creating networking opportunities for the continent. Other objectives include creating platforms for continual sharing of knowledge, evaluating policies and advocate for policies to strengthen Africa's economic growth.
Harvard's engagement with Africa began in the late nineteenth century when the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology was founded. Since then, the Institution identified the need to establish a physical presence on the African continent forming part of its commitment to being a global University.
The university has demonstrated its commitment to Africa through establishments of numerous other Africa-related courses and programs at Harvard and on the continent. Currently, there are over 3000 Harvard Alumni living in Africa.
The three-day conference will include high-profile speakers from within and outside the continent, including professors of the university. Topics of focus will relate to Leadership and governance, Entrepreneurship and policy development, Education, Infrastructure, Trade & employment, Technology, Urbanisation and the future of Finance in Africa plan to be addressed over the three-day period.
