Ghana: Mahama Urges Implementation of African Economic Sovereignty Initiatives. Accra, Ghana — President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the need for urgent implementation of frameworks aimed at enhancing African economic sovereignty during the closing remarks of the Accra Reset side event at the 39th African Union Assembly of Heads of State in Addis Ababa.
The event, titled “Accra Reset’s Addis Reckoning, “aimed to chart a course for African prosperity.
Mahama highlighted proposals for African economic sovereignty, including conflict — free mineral certification and pan-African payment systems. He underscored the importance of distinguishing between minerals extracted for the benefit of the Congolese people and those that fuel ongoing conflicts, as called for by DR Congo’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku Kahongya.
The President also addressed global complicity in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s suffering, noting the world’s reliance on minerals like coltan and tantalum for digital devices. “.
The world has closed its eyes to the carnage in the DRC because it needs the coltan, the tantalum, and all that to power the digital devices and systems we have, “he.
A recurring theme in Mahama’s remarks was the need for intra-African payment systems that eliminate dependence on third-party currencies. He attributed this point to the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Wamkele Mene, and emphasized the urgency of such systems.
President Mahama also discussed the challenges and opportunities in improving continental connectivity, praising private sector initiatives like ASKY Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.
He highlighted new maritime services and proposed ferry services between major ports as signs of emerging continental connectivity. Acknowledging the historical challenges in moving goods and people across Africa, Mahama expressed optimism about the future, crediting private sector initiatives for driving improvements in continental connectivity.
The President concluded by framing the Accra Reset as a pathway to mutual benefit, emphasizing that Africa’s prosperity contributes to, rather than detracts from, global economic health. He expressed frustration about the gap between ambitious frameworks and actual implementation, calling for urgency and implementation. Further details are expected as the African Union Assembly continues to address these initiatives.
