Chief Executive Officer of Diplomatic Affairs Media and Communications Limited, Harriet Nartey, has called for greater involvement of the private sector in diplomacy, saying businesses have a critical role to play in Africa’s economic transformation.
According to her, modern diplomacy goes beyond government-to-government relations, with the private sector increasingly driving international trade, investment, innovation, tourism, technology, employment and economic development.
Ms Nartey made the call in Accra on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the press launch of the fifth edition of A Night with the Diplomats, scheduled for December 3, 2026.
The event, which will be co-hosted with the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, at the Ga Mantse Royal Palace, will be held under the theme, “Leveraging Royal Diplomacy for Africa’s Developmental Agenda.”
She said the choice of the royal palace was deliberate, stressing that traditional institutions could complement conventional diplomacy by preserving culture, facilitating community development and strengthening relationships among peoples.
“The Palace will therefore become more than a venue. It will become a meeting point for ideas, relationships, culture, enterprise and diplomacy,” she said.
Ms Nartey also announced the expansion of Diplomatic Affairs TV, which is scheduled to join Joy Prime, with a new television season commencing in October.
She said the platform would continue to focus on diplomacy and international relations while creating greater space for discussions on economic, tourism and cultural diplomacy, trade and the African private sector.
She further highlighted initiatives including Diplomatic Honours and the Youth in Diplomacy Conference, which she said were aimed at recognising contributions to diplomacy and preparing young Africans to participate meaningfully in global affairs.
Ms Nartey urged the private sector, diplomatic missions, development institutions, media organisations and other stakeholders to partner with Diplomatic Affairs Media and Communications.
She said the objective was not merely to secure financial support for an event, but to build partnerships capable of promoting investment, intra-African trade, youth participation and sustainable development.
“Africa’s development requires partnerships,” she said, calling for stronger collaboration between governments and businesses, diplomacy and traditional leadership, and Africa and the international community.
