President John Dramani Mahama has urged the international community to rethink how it partners with Africa, calling for a new global model that prioritises value addition, resource sovereignty and long-term economic transformation across the continent.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, the President stressed that Africa’s future alliances must move beyond the traditional model of exporting raw materials. Instead, he said partnerships should focus on building industries that process and add value to Africa’s abundant natural resources.
According to President Mahama, granting Africa greater control over its resources is central to sustainable development. He argued that value addition is not just an economic choice but a strategic necessity if African countries are to fully benefit from their natural wealth.
He pointed to Ghana’s establishment of the Goldbod as a clear example of this new approach in action. The initiative, he noted, has generated more than 10 billion dollars in revenue in less than a year, while significantly strengthening Ghana’s control over its gold value chain.
The President explained that Ghana’s medium- to long-term development strategy is firmly anchored in processing and value addition across both the mineral and agricultural sectors. He listed key resources targeted under this strategy, including gold, manganese, bauxite, lithium and petroleum, as well as agricultural products such as cocoa, oil palm, cashew, fruits, soya and cassava.
President Mahama emphasised that adding value locally would do more than increase export earnings. In his view, it would create jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and make African economies more resilient in an increasingly competitive global environment.
He also welcomed the growing partnerships between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates, as well as broader Africa–Gulf relations. According to him, these collaborations are helping to build a more connected and prosperous future and are fast becoming an important pillar in the emerging global order.
President Mahama concluded by reiterating that Africa’s development path must be shaped by partnerships that support industrial growth, economic sovereignty and lasting transformation, rather than continued dependence on raw material exports.
Source: Myjoyonline
