January 19, 2017 - Regional Director of Sub-Saharan Africa of the German Federal Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Georg Wilfired Schmidt, visited Ashesi to speak to students of the Leadership 3 class. Ambassador’s Schmidt talk, on Germany’s Renewed Policy Guidelines for Africa, highlighted areas including peace and security, economic integration and regionalization within the continent.

In discussing different perspectives of Africa’s position in the world, Ambassador Schmidt stressed the importance of bringing the continent to the fore of global conversations.

“No global issue can be tackled if it’s not with stronger involvement of African countries and African societies,” he said. “Africa is an integral part of global discussions and for us it is important to give it the respect it deserves.”

He further shared insights into Germany’s relationship with Ghana, touching on ways the German government can engage the nation on an economic level.

“It doesn’t matter how much money one transfers to help with development; it doesn’t multiply,” he explained. “Economic growth is not going happen by just a transfer of funds. It can help to create conditions, it can help to support this or that, but it’s not going to be enough by itself.”

As chair of the 2017 G20 summit, Germany has pledged to make Africa’s development a core topic at the gathering. In preparation towards the summit, the German government through engagement with professionals and though leaders in Africa, hopes to discuss mechanisms to encourage private investment in Africa. Not only will this include improving economic conditions on the continent, but also will focus on creating better prospects especially for the youth in Africa.