President John Dramani Mahama, Convenor of the Accra Reset Initiative, has cautioned African leaders against what he described as the continent’s deepening dependence on external powers, warning that it undermines true sovereignty.
Speaking at the Accra Reset Convening held on Thursday, January 22, in Davos, Switzerland, President Mahama said Africa’s current development model has locked many nations into a cycle of reliance rather than independence.
He identified what he termed Africa’s “triple dependency” — reliance on foreign powers for security decisions, dependence on donor funding for health and education systems, and the export of critical minerals without retaining meaningful value.
“This isn’t sovereignty. It is a trap. And it is getting worse,” President Mahama stated.
According to him, Africa continues to supply raw materials essential to global industries while failing to benefit from value addition, industrial growth, and technological advancement.
President Mahama stressed that the solution lies in building strong domestic institutions and capacities that allow African nations to respond to crises independently.
“In my quiet moments, as I try to find solutions, here’s what I’ve learned: Crisis creates clarity. The clarity is this: We must build our own capacity to act,” he said.
The Accra Reset Initiative seeks to promote African-led solutions to governance, economic development, and regional security challenges.
