The Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has called on African countries to adopt a pragmatic approach to financing critical infrastructure, urging governments to take “calculated risks” in accessing development funding while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe made the remarks during the 2026 Africa Days Forum held in Brussels, Belgium, where she represented Ghana as part of the country’s delegation alongside the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
The annual forum brought together African political leaders, European Union policymakers, development partners and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on financing, trade, infrastructure and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.
Speaking during a panel discussion on “Financing Africa’s Infrastructure Gap,” the Ghanaian legislator said the continent could not afford to delay critical development projects while waiting for ideal sources of funding.
According to her, Africa should strategically utilise financing opportunities from both China and the European Union to bridge its infrastructure deficit.
“If we wait only for ‘perfect’ money, our roads, rail lines, hospitals and digital infrastructure will keep waiting too. We should take calculated risks in accessing China loans where the terms support projects that create jobs and local value. At the same time, we must leverage EU grants and concessional funding for areas like green energy, health and education,” she stated.
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe stressed that the focus should not be on avoiding risk altogether but on managing it effectively through prudent negotiations and sound governance.
She advocated transparent loan agreements, financing tied to economically viable projects, technology transfer arrangements and greater participation of local industries in the execution of development projects.
Drawing from the needs of her constituency, she said strategic investments in infrastructure could significantly improve livelihoods by connecting markets, expanding access to essential services and stimulating industrial growth.
“For constituencies like mine in Ghana, the difference between a risk taken and an opportunity lost is a bridge built, a market connected, or a factory powered,” she told participants.
Her intervention generated considerable discussion among delegates, many of whom supported the need for African countries to diversify their sources of development financing while safeguarding long-term economic sustainability.
The forum ended with renewed calls for stronger and more balanced partnerships between Africa and the European Union to promote sustainable development, trade and investment across the continent.
