President John Mahama has revealed that Ghana’s development, while commendable, remains fragile unless it is matched by collective progress across Africa.
Speaking at the Davos Convening on the Accra Reset Initiative on January 22, President Mahama said Ghana’s recent economic turnaround would ultimately be meaningless if the rest of the continent continues to lag behind.
“In my first year of being back in the office, we’ve shown that democracy works and that change is possible when leadership is focused and accountable to the people,” he said.
President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s recovery from a debt-distressed, crisis-ridden economy, noting improvements such as single-digit inflation, a strengthened currency, and renewed business confidence. However, he stressed that these gains alone do not guarantee lasting success.
“But here’s what keeps me up at night: Ghana’s success alone is not enough,” he stated.
“However admirable Ghana’s turnaround story is, we cannot be a jewel in the dirt. We must work together as Africa.”
Call for Continental Action
According to President Mahama, Africa’s future depends on unity and the ability of leaders to scale successful models across the continent.
He said the purpose of the Davos meeting was to identify what is working across Africa and the Global South and expand those successes beyond national borders.
“That’s why we’re here in Davos — to move from resetting one country to resetting the entire development model,” he explained.
Africa’s ‘Triple Dependency’ Challenge
President Mahama identified what he described as a worsening “triple dependency” affecting many African countries:
-
Dependence on external actors for security decisions
-
Dependence on donors for health and education systems
-
Supplying critical minerals to the world while capturing little value
He described the situation as a trap, warning that it undermines true sovereignty.
A New Pandemic: Unfulfilled Potential
Drawing parallels with the global response to HIV/AIDS two decades ago, President Mahama called for similar urgency to address Africa’s structural challenges.
“Today, we face a different pandemic: the pandemic of unfulfilled potential,” he said, citing unemployment among young people, fragile health systems, and extractive economies that fail to build lasting prosperity.
He questioned why the world could mobilise to fight disease but struggles to confront poverty and dependency.
The Accra Reset Vision
President Mahama outlined Ghana’s “Resetting Ghana” agenda, pointing to reduced government spending, a smaller cabinet, digitisation of services, debt renegotiation, and skills training for young people as evidence that reform is possible.
He urged African leaders to:
-
Invest in practical, job-ready skills
-
Build regional manufacturing and infrastructure platforms
-
Negotiate collectively on minerals, trade, and climate finance
-
Produce essential goods locally
-
Hold governments accountable to their citizens
“Execution beats excuses,” he said.
A Call to Global Partnership
President Mahama emphasised that the Accra Reset Initiative is not about charity but partnership, proposing a new development model based on cooperation, shared vision, and mutual respect.
“Africa must be responsible for its destiny,” he declared.
“The question is not whether the world needs this. The question is whether we have the courage to build it.”
About The Author
