Mahama Calls for African Unity to Strengthen Sovereignty and Global Influence

Ghanaian President John Mahama urged African nations to act collectively to strengthen sovereignty, control natural resources, and increase bargaining power in trade, minerals, and climate finance, warning that reliance on external powers and the breakdown of the post-WWII multilateral system leaves the continent weak.

Africa must take a proactive and strategic role in shaping the emerging global system, Ghanaian President John Mahama emphasized on Thursday while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He delivered his remarks during the Accra Reset event, calling on African nations to rely on their own initiative rather than depending excessively on external actors. Mahama warned that the post-World War II multilateral system, which has long governed international relations, is under threat as countries increasingly engage in deals based on transactional interests. State and non-state actors alike are prioritizing narrow national and parochial interests over collective global cooperation, he said, creating a fragile international order that undermines fairness and predictability.
President Mahama highlighted a concerning decline in global humanitarian aid, pointing out that developed nations, particularly in Europe, have reduced overseas development assistance. Much of this funding is being redirected toward defense spending as these countries face a “new reality of an unpredictable ally across the Atlantic.” He argued that this shift leaves African nations more vulnerable, as they continue to rely on external support for critical aspects of governance and development.
Mahama noted that many African countries are caught in what he described as a “triple dependency.” They rely heavily on foreign actors for security decisions, for the functioning of health and education systems, and for economic gains tied to the export of critical minerals, yet they capture only a small portion of the value of these resources. “This isn’t sovereignty. It is a trap, and it’s getting worse,” he said, warning that failure to act decisively will leave the continent further disadvantaged.
To address these challenges, Mahama urged African nations to rethink their approach to managing natural resources and negotiating global trade deals. He asked what would happen if Africa leveraged its collective negotiating power over critical minerals to ensure that more value remains on the continent, rather than merely exporting raw ores. He also called for greater control over natural resources to create prosperity for African citizens, emphasizing that acting individually leaves countries weak while collective action can generate substantial influence and bargaining power.
President Mahama stressed that unity must go beyond rhetoric and become a concrete strategy for the continent. Coordinated efforts in trade negotiations, climate finance, and the management of mineral resources, he said, would provide African nations with far greater leverage on the global stage. He concluded that the path to economic independence and strengthened sovereignty lies in working together, leveraging Africa’s resources and strategic position to forge a more equitable and self-reliant future.