President John Dramani Mahama delivered a stirring appeal to African leaders: move swiftly beyond political independence and rhetoric to real, practical economic reforms that will transform lives across the continent.
The summit, which also welcomed São Tomé and Príncipe’s President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, became a stage for President Mahama’s vision of an Africa where governments prioritize the well-being and safety of their people through deliberate development strategies.
In a Facebook post reflecting on the summit, President Mahama underscored that democracy and political freedom mean little without concrete efforts to build sustainable livelihoods. “Political freedom without economic transformation remains incomplete,” he reminded his audience, urging governments to embrace reforms that bring tangible benefits to their citizens.
Central to his message was the need for industrial growth and job creation—goals that, he acknowledged, require significant capital. President Mahama pointed out that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of Africa’s industrial workforce, still face significant barriers due to limited access to long-term, affordable financing.
He proposed a solution: African nations should rethink how they mobilize and direct domestic resources. Instead of allowing pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds to sit idle or be invested abroad, President Mahama urged that these vast resources be channeled into productive ventures through mechanisms like industrial bonds, infrastructure funds, and diaspora financing.
Such investments, he argued, could unlock the capital needed to fuel industrial expansion, boost intra-African trade, and accelerate economic transformation. With strengthened regional cooperation and innovative financing, President Mahama expressed confidence that Africa could secure inclusive growth and long-term prosperity for all its people.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
