Former President John Agyekum Kufour on Monday returned home from South Africa and Switzerland after engagements to woo investors to Africa.

Speaking at either forum, he said Africa was witnessing rapid transformation and that the continent will soon turn into a hotbed of global economic activity in two decades from now.

“I foresee a fast awakening for Africa in the coming decade, with its economies opening up”, he stated.

“Its people are beginning to demand openness and accountability from their governments. They want to generate wealth and create jobs, particularly for their youth. It’s a very young continent in terms of population, and the youth are getting better education.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Mr Frank Agyekum, spokesperson of the former president on Monday.

He said Africa was ready to engage in partnerships with people coming in to invest, adding that it would be a win-win situation for all.

Mr Kufuor said the continent would get rid of its image as a sleepy and distant backwater and turn into a destination for international investments.

“I don’t think Africa will allow the Chinese, the Europeans or the Americans, to come and reduce Africa into new colonial states. It won’t happen.”

In Cape Town, South Africa, Mr Kufuor spoke on “The African Opportunity”, at a conference organised by Barclays Bank and the ABSA group on the eve of the recent World Economic Forum held there.

The conference, under the theme, “Beyond Borders,” was aimed at gaining insights into stating Africa’s claim in the global economic debate.

In Zurich, Switzerland, the former president shared a podium with Former South African President Thabo Mbeki at the 11th Credit Suisse Salon on the theme “Tapping the African Potential.”