The 2012 presidential candidate of Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh, are to speak in London, UK, to mark 57 years after Ghana’s independence.

It will be Nana Akufo-Addo’s first major public speech since August 29, 2013, when he spoke to congratulate President John Mahama after the opposition leader lost his presidential election petition at the Supreme Court.

The theme of the programme, which is organised by the Royal African Society, is ‘Ghana, 57 Years After 1957: Recalibrating the Course of Progress’. It will take place on from 3pm, on March 3, 2014, at the Brunei Suite, SOAS, University of London, Russel Square, London.

Chairman for the event is Lord Boateng of Akyem and Wembley. Other speakers are Dr Michael Amoah, Research Associate, Centre of African Studies and Manji Cheto, Analyst/Vice President, Teneo Holdings.

A publication on the website of the African Royal Society, "Ghana was the first African nation to gain independence on March 6, 1957 and has since often been held up as an example of political and economic achievement. Successive democratic elections with peaceful transitions have entrenched civilian rule for the past two decades. The discovery of large quantities of off-shore crude oil in 2007 contributed to an economic growth rate of 15 per cent and in 2010, Ghana attained middle-income status after a reassessment of its GDP.

"In 2012, the country held its most recent national elections with incumbent President John Mahama winning with 50.7 per cent of the vote, the result of which was contested by opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo. In the aftermath of these highly contested but non-violent elections, public sentiment is that the country needs to focus on addressing the main obstacles to its development.

"Marking Ghana's 57th year of independence, this event brings together a panel of key national public figures to discuss the country's progress and address its major challenges, setting out and implementing strategic development plans that transcend politics, fighting corruption and the mismanagement of public funds, tackling both unemployment and high inflation."