Mahama puts economic sovereignty at heart of African security
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Fanamc
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama calls on African countries to strengthen production and increase funding for their security to reduce economic dependence. He was speaking in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, at the opening of the 12th Tana Forum on security in Africa, according to Fanamc.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday called on African countries to reduce their economic dependence, strengthen domestic production and provide more funding for their own peace and development efforts. He was speaking at the opening of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, according to FMC news agency.
For Ghana’s head of state, the continent’s stability remains fragile when young people are denied economic opportunities and security relies on external funding or aid with conditions attached. He advocated processing raw materials in Africa, developing industrial capacity, securing food and energy supplies, and effectively implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
John Dramani Mahama also called for a stronger African voice in reforming financial institutions and international governance systems. He said geopolitical rivalries, competition over critical minerals, unstable supply chains and technological change meant that the continent must not remain merely a battleground for competition between external powers.
The remarks came after John Dramani Mahama defended Ghana’s non-alignment on 22 October to attract investors. They also followed the announcement on 23 October of a target to process Ghana’s minerals before 2030.
