Africa must pull itself up by own bootstraps – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged African countries to take greater responsibility for their development, warning that shrinking global aid and rising geopolitical tensions make self-reliance no longer optional for the continent.

Speaking at the Accra Reset Davos Convening on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Mahama said Africa must move away from excessive dependence on humanitarian assistance and donor funding and instead build strong systems capable of driving sustainable growth.

He noted that global humanitarian support is declining as many developed countries cut official development assistance and redirect spending towards defence, creating a new reality that Africa must confront with urgency.

“Africa must pull itself up by its own bootstraps,” President Mahama said, stressing that the continent cannot continue to rely on handouts while its population, resources and potential continue to grow.

The President described Africa as being trapped in what he termed a “triple dependency”; dependence on external actors for security decisions, donor support for health and education systems, and the export of critical minerals without capturing significant economic value.

He argued that such dependency undermines true sovereignty and leaves African economies vulnerable to global shocks, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a stark reminder of the continent’s marginal position in global supply chains.

President Mahama outlined the Accra Reset Initiative as a practical response to these challenges, explaining that it focuses on cutting waste, restoring accountability and building systems that work. He pointed to Ghana’s recent economic recovery, including improved macroeconomic stability and reduced government spending, as proof that disciplined leadership can deliver results.

However, he cautioned that individual country successes are not enough, calling for collective African action to scale up reforms, industrialisation and value addition across the continent.

He urged African leaders to prioritise skills development, regional manufacturing and joint negotiation on critical minerals, saying unity must become a strategy rather than a slogan.

President Mahama concluded by calling on global partners to engage Africa through fair partnerships rather than charity, insisting that the continent has both the responsibility and the capacity to shape its own future in a rapidly changing world.