Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has met with members of the Ghanaian community in Palermo, Italy, during her official visit, emphasising the government’s commitment to inclusive development, youth empowerment, and economic stability.

Addressing a large gathering of Ghanaians, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception accorded her at the airport and commended the community for turning out in impressive numbers despite their busy schedules.

She conveyed greetings from President John Dramani Mahama, assuring them of the government’s recognition of the contributions of Ghanaians abroad to national development.

The Vice President gave special recognition to the youth, underscoring the importance of including their perspectives in national decision-making processes.

“The voices of our young people must be heard and meaningfully considered, especially on issues that shape their future,” she stated.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang outlined several key government initiatives, including the Big Push Strategy, a bold infrastructure development programme designed to improve roads, hospitals, schools, and other essential facilities across the country.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining economic stability, citing declining prices and a stronger exchange rate as signs of progress.

On agriculture, she highlighted ongoing reforms under the Feed Ghana Programme, Grow24 Framework, and Women in Agricultural Productivity and Enterprise Fund (WAPE-Fund)—initiatives aimed at transforming farming, promoting value addition, and creating jobs throughout the value chain.

The Vice President further reiterated Ghana’s determination to process more of its natural resources locally, such as cocoa, shea butter, and cashew, to generate greater value, empower farmers, and strengthen rural economies.

Calling for unity and collective purpose, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged Ghanaians in Italy to remain supportive of one another and continue serving as worthy ambassadors of the nation.

“Our strength as Ghanaians lies in our solidarity and the spirit of cooperation that binds us together, no matter where we are,” she said, encouraging the Ghana Association of Palermo to deepen engagement with the Embassy and contribute to national development efforts.