Nigerian music star, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking, has warmed hearts online after sharing a video of himself exchanging pleasantries and spending time with Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama.
The Afrobeats singer took to his Instagram page to post clips of the encounter, which happened during a youth-driven panel at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama, Japan.
The conference, which ran from August 20 to 22, 2025, brought together leaders from across Africa and beyond, including 33 African heads of state and government, representatives from 49 countries, international organisations, private sector leaders, civil society actors, and youth voices.
Patoranking’s presence at the event highlighted the increasing role of young people and creatives in shaping Africa’s future.
The panel sessions focused on issues such as peace and security, economic growth, sustainable development, and the transformative role of technology—particularly Artificial Intelligence—in higher education.
For many, however, the lighter moment was seeing Patoranking—known for hits like Girlie O and Abule—share laughs and pleasantries with President Mahama. It was a reminder that beyond the serious policy discussions, TICAD 9 also celebrated youth, culture, and the human connections driving Africa forward.
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