Ghana President Mahama Urges Africa to Strengthen Its Path to Sovereignty and Self-Reliance

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has issued a bold call for Africa to pursue genuine sovereignty and self-reliance, urging the continent to reduce its long-standing dependence on external assistance and take greater control of its future.

Mahama made the remarks while speaking at the Davos Convening of the Accra Reset Initiative, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Reflecting on Africa’s post-colonial trajectory, the president said the continent has struggled to realise its full potential in the decades following independence, remaining ensnared in cycles of conflict and multidimensional poverty.

He challenged African nations to “pull themselves up by their own bootstraps,” warning that a new global order is rapidly taking shape, one in which Africa must position itself as an active participant rather than a passive observer.

Mahama stressed that the continent must be present “at the table” when decisions shaping the future global system are made, rather than relying on frameworks designed elsewhere.
Addressing Africa’s reliance on foreign aid, the Ghanaian leader pointed to a steady decline in global assistance and cautioned against continued dependence on external actors for security, healthcare and education. He called on African states to work collectively to build internal capacity and sustainable systems.

“This is not sovereignty,” Mahama said. “It is a trap – and it is getting worse.”
He cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a critical wake-up call, noting that Africa was the last continent to receive vaccines despite its significant contributions to global economies and supply chains.

According to Mahama, the world is entering “an era where countries must compete, innovate and build, or be left behind,” underscoring the urgency for Africa to invest in its own people, institutions and resources.