President John Dramani Mahama has called on African countries to strengthen their institutions, improve financing capacity and build more effective delivery systems to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063.
President Mahama made the call on Monday, September 21, 2026, during a presidential roundtable organised by the Open Society Foundation in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). The meeting brought together presidents and senior executives from major global foundations to discuss changes in the international development environment and opportunities for greater cooperation.
Mahama Highlights Global Economic Challenges
The Ghanaian President said the international system was undergoing major changes, while countries in the Global South continue to face significant debt and financing pressures.
According to President Mahama, however, the changing global environment also creates opportunities for countries to develop new ideas, partnerships and approaches to economic development.
He urged governments to use the changing circumstances to create jobs, improve public services, develop infrastructure and expand opportunities for young people.
For Ghana, he said the priority should be strengthening the country’s ability to pursue its development objectives with greater confidence and continuity despite changes in the international environment.
Mahama Explains the Accra Reset Initiative
President Mahama also highlighted the Accra Reset Initiative, which promotes greater national capacity and self-reliance while encouraging more balanced relationships between developing countries and international partners.
He explained that sovereignty in the context of development involves the ability of countries to set their own priorities, negotiate effectively, mobilise resources and implement national decisions.
The President said Ghana still has work to do to achieve greater ownership of its development path.
He identified stronger coordination across government, improved preparation of development programmes and projects, increased domestic revenue mobilisation, sound financial management and stronger public institutions as key areas requiring attention.
Ghana Urged to Leverage Civil Society and Private Sector
President Mahama further called for greater participation from civil society organisations, businesses, academia and local communities in Ghana’s development process.
He said governments should make better use of expertise and resources outside the public sector to expand the country’s capacity to deliver development programmes and improve public services.
The President also urged international development partners and philanthropic organisations to move beyond short-term projects and focus on building sustainable national capacity.
According to him, international cooperation should increasingly strengthen local systems that meet appropriate standards while reducing unnecessary duplication and maintaining accountability.
Foundations Can Support Long-Term Development
President Mahama also highlighted the role of philanthropic foundations in supporting healthcare, education, governance, research and institutional development across Africa.
He noted that foundations have greater flexibility to support public goods, early-stage programmes and social priorities where traditional commercial financing may not be appropriate.
He said successful initiatives should eventually be incorporated into public systems, local delivery institutions and sustainable long-term financing models.
The roundtable formed part of President Mahama’s engagements during UNGA 81 in New York, where he is also scheduled to participate in discussions on the Accra Reset, reparatory justice and other issues concerning Africa’s development and international cooperation.
Agenda 2063 and Africa’s Development
President Mahama’s remarks come as African countries continue efforts to advance Agenda 2063, the continent’s long-term development framework focused on economic transformation, stronger institutions, regional integration and expanded opportunities for African citizens.
The President said achieving these ambitions will require African countries to strengthen their institutions, financing capabilities and systems for delivering measurable results.
Source: newsthemegh.com