Ghana’s president to deliver major policy speech to Liberty University community

UPDATE (Sept. 15): Due to unforeseen circumstances, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, will be unable to visit campus on Saturday, Sept. 25. He will, however, reschedule his visit at a later date. 

On Saturday, Sept. 25, in the Center for Music and the Worship Arts, Concert Hall, Liberty University’s School of Business will host the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency (H.E.) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who will deliver a major policy speech to students, faculty, and members of the public.

According to School of Business Dean Dr. Dave Brat, Akufo-Addo’s visit has been in the works since the Equity for Africa Summit in April, which gathered business and political leaders from across the U.S. and Africa to discuss economic development opportunities within the African continent. At the recent Networking the Nations Summit, held in August, three world-class Nigerian businessmen attended and said they have been to universities around the world but have never seen or felt anything like the warmth and energy in a business context.

“Most of this is only possible because of the reputation Liberty has, being one of the major Christian universities in the world, which has a clear-cut reputation for Training Champions for Christ,” Brat said. “Over time, I think we are going to see more of this. A commitment to God and Christ matters at the highest levels of the world.”

Akufo-Addo will cast his vision for Africa, talk about how the Christian worldview influences his decision-making, and pitch economic growth opportunities and benefits of investing and working with businesses in Africa. He will also talk about the up-and-coming African Business Center at Liberty University, a center that will bring African heads of state together with American business leaders to promote capital flows and economic development in Africa.

This connection along with many other Africa-Liberty connections, Brat said, was only possible because of Pastor Forson Swanzy, who played a key role in co-hosting the previous summits. These relationships continue to grow by the day. Brat said that the Christian trust and friendship is the glue that makes these relationships and summits work.

“This occasion is testimony to the work of this university and what it’s been doing for 50 years,” said Brat, highlighting the spiritual aspect that connects all the initiatives. “Fruit has come and will come because of that reputation. These types of relationships and outcomes do not happen at your average lukewarm university.”

There is more to come. Brat said the School of Business is looking forward to other heads of state coming to Liberty in the near future.

“These types of events will open the door for students to better understand the international sphere, geo-politics, and economic and outreach opportunities in Africa,” Brat said. “Regardless of your politics, I think God looks favorably on those who reach out to their brothers and sisters to find win-win opportunities in friendship and faith.”