Ghana’s President Mahama Calls for African Self-Reliance to Achieve Financial Sovereignty
ACCRA – Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has declared that African nations are increasingly recognizing their own autonomy and must now leverage it to become self-reliant, calling this a critical step towards genuine financial sovereignty for the continent.
In an interview with The Times Magazine, President Mahama argued that for too long, African nations have been trapped in cycles of dependency. He emphasized that a conscious shift towards utilizing internal resources and mechanisms is now essential.
“African governments are increasingly recognizing their autonomy and must utilize it to become more self-reliant,” Mahama stated. “This is essential for the continent to achieve genuine financial sovereignty.”
As a prime example of this principle in action, President Mahama pointed to Ghana’s recent policy regarding its mineral wealth. He highlighted the establishment of the Gold Board (GoldBod), a government initiative designed to ensure the nation captures more value from its gold resources.
This move is seen as a direct effort to exert greater control over a key national asset and retain more of the revenue generated from its extraction and sale.
Beyond managing natural resources, President Mahama also urged African nations to fully capitalize on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He described the landmark trade agreement as a powerful tool to boost intra-African trade, reduce reliance on foreign markets, and ultimately strengthen the continent’s collective financial independence.
The call to action underscores a growing sentiment among African leaders for a new economic pathway—one defined by internal collaboration, strategic resource management, and reduced external dependency.
About The Author
