President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that Africa’s pursuit of true sovereignty is persistently compromised by what he refers to as a “triple dependency” on external entities for security, social services, and the extraction of essential minerals.
In his address to the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 5, President Mahama noted that numerous African nations remain entangled in structural dependencies that hinder their ability to forge independent development pathways.
“A significant number of African nations are ensnared in what I term a triple dependency — reliance on external entities for security decisions, reliance on donors for health and education infrastructures, and reliance on suppliers of essential minerals while deriving minimal or no value,” he stated.
He indicated that this predicament continues to erode Africa’s sovereignty and obstructs the continent from fully harnessing its immense potential.
President Mahama noted that Africa is grappling with what he describes as a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential,” characterized by elevated youth unemployment, fragile health systems, and economies that extract wealth without fostering local capacity.
“Consequently, Africa is confronted with a distinct pandemic — the pandemic of unfulfilled potential. Millions of our youth remain jobless, health systems are precarious, and economies extract wealth without enhancing capacity,” he emphasized.
He emphasized the need for African leaders to address these challenges with sincerity and take actionable measures, advocating for a transition towards policies that promote self-sufficiency, value addition, and inclusive growth.
President Mahama referred to his recent discussions with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he underscored the Accra Reset Initiative as part of the efforts to realign Africa’s development agenda.
“Just days ago, I had the privilege to address global leaders in Davos, where I discussed the Accra Reset Initiative and the pressing need for Africa to redefine its development path,” he remarked.
In spite of the obstacles, President Mahama conveyed a sense of hope that Africa can convert its present challenges into a chance for renewal and transformation.
“History demonstrates that a crisis can enhance determination, and thus Africa must seize control of its own future,” he remarked.
President Mahama is currently in Zambia for a three-day state visit intended to bolster bilateral relations and enhance collaboration between Ghana and Zambia in essential sectors.
