Former President John Mahama has said his belief in the promise that Africa exudes is “unshakeable.”

Speaking at the African Leadership Magazine (ALM) Person of the Year 2016 Awards Programme in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr Mahama said “unfortunately, the rest of the world holds a very strict view of Africa: we are either fading or we are succeeding.”

“We are either rising to great heights or we are falling. In such times, we must diagnose the reasons for these setbacks; in such cases we must diagnose the reasons for these reversals and institute the structural reforms necessary to put the nation back on the path of growth,” Mr Mahama said.

According to him, Africa has the potential to become the next “emerging continent of the world,” adding that: “Opportunities abound and African entrepreneurs must take advantage of these.”

“My belief in the promise of Africa is unshakable. That is why I believe in events that bring together celebrated achievers from diverse backgrounds which is a clear indication that Africa has got the right resource to guarantee the realisation of its fullest potential,” while urging Africans not to be “discouraged by temporary setbacks.”