Akwasi Opong-Fosu

Akwasi Opong-Fosu has been a passionate advocate about Africa's growth and  an enhanced position and role for Africa in a globalized world. He has addressed international forums such as the UN, Crans Montana Forum, Wall Street Economic Summit, Marrakesh Security Forum among others focusing on leadership and governance, peace and security, trade and investment and sustainable development in Africa.

In furtherance of actualizing Africa's growth potential and consequently promoting an enhanced position and voice at the world stage, Akwasi Opong-Fosu founded the Africa Global Emergence Center (AGEC) an independent policy, research, advocacy and advisory services organisation and is President of the Africa Growth Solutions, the advisory unit of AGEC.

Akwasi has had a distinguished career in public service spanning a period of over 35 years which was inspired by a motivation to impact positively on the progress and well-being of people and society at large.

As an accomplished technocrat, he headed the largest public service organization in Ghana-the local Government Service -which has responsibility to ensuring the effective and efficient administration and management of local governments.

As an esteemed political office holder, he served as a Mayor, Member of Parliament and Ministerial portfolios in Local Government and Rural Development, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Minister of State at the Presidency responsible for Development Authorities in the Republic of Ghana.

He held a number of leadership positions during his tenure as a Mayor and for which he was recognized with an award by the United Cities and Local Governments for his contributions to decentralization and local governance and most importantly his leadership role in the unification of the Anglophone and Francophone local authorities into one continental body.

Positions held Include;

• President - National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana
• President - Africa Union of Local Authorities
• Vice-President - International Union of Local Authorities
• Board Member - ICLEI
• Chairman - Africa Caribbean Pacific Local Government Platform
• Member - UN Advisory Committee on Local Authorities

He is a product of the University of Ghana-Legon (BSc Chem); University of London-SOAS (MSc Public Policy and Management); Ghana Institute of Management-GIMPA (PG Cert in Public Adm); Harvard Kennedy School of Government (Leadership): London School of Economics & Pol Sc (Globalisation and the State).