“Ghana’s Success Alone Is Not Enough” — Dramani Mahama Calls for United African Action at Davos

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his biggest concern is not Ghana’s economic recovery itself, but Africa’s continued fragmentation in a rapidly changing global order.

Speaking at the Davos Convening on the Accra Reset Initiative on January 22, President Mahama said Ghana’s recent economic turnaround would mean little if it is not matched by collective progress across the African continent.

“From a debt-distressed, crisis-ridden economy, we have achieved an impressive turnaround… But here’s what keeps me up at night: Ghana’s success alone is not enough,” the President stated.

Ghana’s Economic Reset, But a Broader Worry

President Mahama highlighted gains made during his first year back in office, noting that Ghana has restored macroeconomic stability with single-digit inflation, a stronger currency, and renewed investor confidence.

He described these achievements as proof that democracy works when leadership is accountable and focused on results. However, he warned that Ghana cannot thrive in isolation.

“However admirable Ghana’s turnaround story is, we cannot be a jewel in the dirt. We must work together as Africa. We must knit together the patchwork of success stories.”

According to him, the purpose of the Davos engagement was to scale successful development models across Africa and the Global South rather than celebrate isolated national gains.

Africa’s “Triple Dependency” Crisis

President Mahama identified what he described as a “triple dependency trap” holding back African development:

1. Dependence on external actors for security decisions
2. Dependence on donors to fund health and education systems
3. Supplying critical minerals to the world while capturing little value

“This isn’t sovereignty. It is a trap. And it is getting worse,” he said.

He argued that Africa’s reliance on aid and external decision-making has left the continent vulnerable, particularly as global humanitarian assistance declines and geopolitical alliances become increasingly unpredictable.

Lessons From the HIV/AIDS Response

Drawing historical parallels, President Mahama recalled how global leadership and collective action helped combat HIV/AIDS in Africa through the establishment of the Global Fund, an initiative championed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and African leaders including Olusegun Obasanjo.

“That fight succeeded because leaders decided to act together, with urgency and without excuses.”

He expressed concern that today’s world lacks the same level of commitment, pointing to cuts in funding for the UN system and other global institutions by major powers.

A New “Pandemic” Facing Africa

President Mahama described Africa’s current challenge as a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential,” marked by widespread youth unemployment, fragile health systems, and extractive economies that fail to build lasting industries.

“If we could mobilise the world to fight a disease, why can’t we mobilise to fight poverty? To fight dependency?”

He stressed that Africa must now take responsibility for its destiny by building internal capacity rather than waiting for external solutions.

Resetting Ghana as a Model

President Mahama outlined reforms under Ghana’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, including reducing government size, cutting waste, digitising public services to curb corruption, renegotiating debt, and training young people for future-focused jobs.

“Execution beats excuses,” he said, noting that transformation requires action, not rhetoric.

The Accra Reset Vision for Africa

He presented the Accra Reset Initiative as a practical blueprint rather than a declaration, calling for African countries to:

• Invest in skills aligned with real jobs
• Build regional manufacturing and infrastructure hubs
• Negotiate collectively on minerals, trade, and climate finance
• Produce vaccines, medicines, and technology locally
• Uphold accountability and good governance

“Unity should not be a slogan; it must be the strategy,” he stressed.

A Call to Global Partners

President Mahama concluded with a call for a new global partnership based on mutual respect, not charity.

“We didn’t come here to ask for charity. We came to propose a global partnership of the willing.”

He said Africa’s young people are watching closely and running out of patience, urging leaders to act decisively to build economies that provide opportunity at home rather than forcing migration abroad.

“The question is not whether the world needs this,” he said. “The question is whether we have the courage to build it.”