Ghana will interact with the outside world on its own terms, according to President John Dramani Mahama, who has insisted that all international alliances be guided by national interests.
In his second State of the Nation Address, Mahama underlined in Parliament that although Ghana will respect international standards, it will not outsource its decisions, indicating a strong position on sovereignty and strategic leadership for the nation and the continent.
He addressed Parliament in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution, saying, “We will continue to engage with the world, but on terms that reflect our interests. We will uphold global norms, but we will not outsource our judgments,”
The Resetting Ghana Agenda and the Accra Reset are two interconnected frameworks that the President used to describe this stance as part of a larger strategic change.
The latter promotes Ghana’s vision onto the continental stage, whereas the former concentrates on re-establishing economic stability, bolstering internal institutions, and restoring public trust.
He contends that Africa must transition “from dependence to self-reliance, from fragmentation to integration, and from reactive postures to strategic leadership” and that Ghana’s development “cannot be separated from Africa’s progress.”
The global order is changing dramatically, he said, and emerging economies shouldn’t react by “fragmenting, hesitating, or continuing to rely.”
Rather, he advocated for strategic alignment, intentional collaboration, and group resiliency.
“This era ahead demands that Africa must move from a posture of dependence to one of collective self-reliance,” he stated.
Mahama cited a historic meeting held in Accra last year that established a new framework for healthcare funding and cooperation among African states, emphasising Ghana’s convening role in promoting continental health sovereignty.
He emphasised that: “Africa must take ownership of its health security, pool its resources, deepen collaboration, and design financing solutions that reflect our realities rather than external prescriptions. Strong economies require healthy populations, and health sovereignty is inseparable from economic sovereignty.”
“The same logic applies to trade, industry, and economic growth. Africa’s future lies in dismantling our artificial borders, removing bottlenecks that stifle commerce and fully activating a common market that allows our goods, services, capital, and ideas to move freely across the continent. No single African country, no matter how well endowed, can thrive alone in this new global environment.”
“Regional value chains to add value to what we produce, mobilising domestic capital to finance our own development, and speaking with a single, coordinated and confident voice in global affairs. This is how Africa can move from promise to power, from participation to leadership, and from dependence to self-reliance.”
“The path forward is clear. Africa must rise with confidence, unity, and purpose. And Ghana stands ready not only to rebuild at home but also to work hand-in-hand with our African brothers and sisters to shape a future that is defined by shared strength, dignity and prosperity.”
Beyond trade and health, he emphasised that Ghana is prepared to work with African partners to create a future rooted in shared resilience, strength, and dignity on the continent as well as to rebuild at home.
Source: newsthemegh.com