Ghana's president urges Africa to stop 'begging'

According to Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, for African nations to gain respect internationally and alter negative impressions of the continent, they must stop "beseeching" the West.

"Africa won't need to beg for respect from anyone if we stop being beggars and start spending our money on the continent; instead, we will receive the respect we are due. Respect would come as a result if we make it prosperous as it should be "said Mr. Akufo-Addo.

During the summit's opening ceremony in Washington, DC, he delivered the comments.

In order to meet common ambitions, Mr. Akufo-Addo encouraged stronger unity among Africans.

"Outside of Africa, Africans are more resilient than they are there. We must keep in mind that there is no such thing as Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya to the outside world; we are just Africans. We are all responsible for each other's human fate "said he.

The president claimed that while the continent possessed talent and strength, it required a concentrated political effort to make "Africa function."

Mr. Akufo-Addo made his comments on the same day that the IMF decided to lend Ghana $3 billion (£2.4 billion) to help the country recover from an unheard-of economic crisis.

In light of growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent, dozens of African leaders are in Washington to explore collaboration with the US.