President John Dramani Mahama has called for a reset in Africa’s engagement with the global community, urging a shift from aid-based relations to investment-driven partnerships as the continent seeks to fully harness its natural resources and accelerate industrial growth.
Speaking at the 12th Africa Debate on Wednesday, June 3, Mahama said Africa does not seek sympathy but rather equitable partnerships anchored in value addition, technology transfer and infrastructure development.
The Ghanaian leader highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a critical platform for driving industrialisation and expanding intra-African trade across the world’s largest free trade zone.
According to him, Africa’s development trajectory is already underway, driven by resilience and sustained economic growth despite global headwinds.
“Even amid global uncertainty, Africa continues to demonstrate resilience and growth. While many advanced economies struggle with stagnation, Africa remains one of the world’s fastest growing regions,” he said.
Mahama stressed that the continent must no longer remain primarily a supplier of raw materials to industrialised economies, but instead pursue a development path rooted in industrial transformation and shared prosperity.
“But let me also state clearly, Africa does not seek sympathy,” he said. “The future relationship between Africa and the world must be built on value addition, on industrialisation, technology transfer, infrastructure investment, skills development and a shared prosperity.”
He further pointed to Ghana as an example of what is possible when leadership, reform and national purpose align to drive transformation.
The remarks come amid ongoing continental efforts to deepen economic integration under the AfCFTA framework and attract long-term investment into manufacturing, infrastructure and technology sectors.
Source:citinewsroom
