Global Order in Disarray: President Mahama calls for more opportunities for Africa’s youth
President John Dramani Mahama has called for urgent efforts to create jobs and expand opportunities for Africa’s young population as the global order faces growing disruption and uncertainty.
Speaking at a presidential roundtable organised by the Open Society Foundation in New York on Monday, President Mahama said the changing international landscape, coupled with mounting debt pressures confronting countries in the Global South, required fresh thinking, stronger partnerships and greater domestic capacity.
The roundtable, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, brought together presidents and chief executives of major global foundations.
President Mahama said the disruption in the global system, although presenting serious challenges, could also create space for innovation and new approaches to development.
“In all the disruption and chaos are born new ideas and partnerships,” President Mahama said.
He stressed that countries must seize the moment to address pressing development needs, including job creation, improved public services and infrastructure development.
“This is when we must create jobs for our people, improve public services, build infrastructure, and expand opportunity, especially for our young people,” he said.
According to President Mahama, Ghana and other countries in the Global South must strengthen their ability to pursue national development priorities with greater confidence and continuity, irrespective of changes taking place in the international system.
President Mahama pointed to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as the continent’s long-term framework for achieving productive economies, stronger institutions, deeper regional integration and expanded opportunities for its people.
He, however, stressed that African countries must now focus on strengthening the institutions, financing mechanisms and delivery systems needed to translate those ambitions into tangible outcomes.
Touching on Ghana’s Accra Reset Initiative, the President said the initiative was aimed at helping countries respond with greater urgency and self-reliance to a rapidly changing global environment.
“The Accra Reset asks what countries need to act with urgency in a changing world, and what a more balanced relationship with international partners could look like,” he said.
President Mahama explained that sovereignty in this context should be understood as a country’s capacity to determine and implement its own development priorities.
“When I speak about sovereignty in this context, I am speaking about the capacity to act. A country needs to be able to set its priorities, negotiate effectively, mobilise resources, and follow through on its decisions,” he said.
The President acknowledged that Ghana still had significant work to do to strengthen its ownership of the development process.
He identified stronger coordination across government, better preparation of programmes and projects, increased domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management and institutions capable of demonstrating clear results as key areas requiring attention.
He also stressed the importance of drawing on expertise and resources beyond government, including civil society, the private sector, academia and local communities.
“We must carry our share of the responsibility if we want greater room to lead,” President Mahama said.
President Mahama also urged international development partners and philanthropic organisations to move beyond short-term interventions and place greater emphasis on building long-term national capacity.
He challenged international partners to work more closely with local systems where they meet required standards, while reducing unnecessary duplication and maintaining accountability.
The President highlighted the important role philanthropic organisations have played in supporting health, education, governance and research across Africa.
He called on foundations to use their flexibility to support institutional development, public goods, early-stage programmes and social priorities in areas where commercial financing may not be suitable.
“Where an approach proves successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions, and long-term financing models,” President Mahama said.
