News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Roger A. Agana, https://newsghana.com.gh/ghanas-mahama-declares-africa-at-a-crossroads-stresses-self-determination-in-keynote-address/
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama delivered a stark yet hopeful assessment of Africa’s trajectory during his keynote speech at the African Prosperity Dialogues in Accra on Thursday, framing the continent’s future as a pivotal choice between stagnation and transformative growth.
Addressing regional leaders, policymakers, and development advocates, Mahama acknowledged Africa’s dual reality: a land brimming with untapped natural resources, a tech-savvy youth demographic, and pockets of innovation, yet shackled by systemic inequities, crumbling infrastructure, and bureaucratic hurdles. “Our continent is at a crossroads,” he asserted. “We possess the tools for prosperity but remain weighed down by challenges that demand urgent, collective action.”
The President’s remarks underscored a tension resonating across Africa. While nations like Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda have made strides in digital adoption and economic reforms, over 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population still lives below the poverty line, according to World Bank data. Mahama singled out infrastructural gaps—such as unreliable energy grids and underdeveloped transport networks—as critical barriers to intra-African trade and global competitiveness. “Without roads to move goods, energy to power industries, or inclusive policies to harness youth potential, we risk squandering our greatest advantages,” he said.
Yet Mahama struck an optimistic chord, insisting Africa’s fate remains “firmly in our own hands.” He championed homegrown solutions, urging leaders to prioritize strategic partnerships—both within the continent and with aligned global actors—to fund projects, share expertise, and dismantle trade barriers. “Decisions made today will echo for generations,” he emphasized. “This is not the time for half-measures, but for bold, unified vision.”
The African Prosperity Dialogues, now in its third year, serves as a platform to advance the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, headquartered in Accra. Analysts view Mahama’s speech as a timely push to reinvigorate commitments to the bloc, which has struggled to meet targets for reducing cross-border tariffs and harmonizing regulations.
Critics, however, argue that Africa’s challenges require more than rhetoric. “Leadership accountability is key,” said Ngozi Adeyemi, a Lagos-based economist. “Corruption, political instability, and reliance on foreign loans continue to derail progress. Partnerships matter, but so does governance.”
Mahama’s address coincides with heightened global interest in Africa’s mineral resources, critical for renewable energy technologies. While this demand could fuel economic leaps, watchdogs warn against replicating past cycles of exploitation. The President’s call for “decisive collaboration” may signal a push to negotiate equitable terms for resource extraction, ensuring profits reinvest in local economies.
As the Dialogues continue, stakeholders await actionable plans. For Mahama, the message is clear: Africa’s crossroads is not a dead end, but a call to steer decisively toward unity and self-reliance. The continent’s next chapter, he insists, hinges on choices made now—not by outsiders, but by its own leaders and people.
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Roger A. Agana, https://newsghana.com.gh/ghanas-mahama-declares-africa-at-a-crossroads-stresses-self-determination-in-keynote-address/
