
By Bright Philip Donkor
President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), describing it as a crucial initiative aimed at fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency across the continent.
He made the pledge while addressing the Presidential Session of the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues on the third day of the event at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) over the weekend. The event was held under the theme “Delivering Africa’s Single Market Through Infrastructure: Invest, Connect, and Integrate”.
The President said, “Ghana is proud to be the host of this important dialogue series, and it will continue to enjoy my full support to make subsequent events even greater. This congress is a testament to our collective commitment to unlocking Africa’s full potential and ensuring that our continent takes its rightful place in the global economic system”.
Economic renaissance
He believes that the Dialogues were not just about discussions, but also about forging a common agenda to drive Africa’s economic renaissance. According to him, leaders of the continent must harness its resources, strengthen trade ties, and build a sustainable economic future that benefits all Africans.
“We must promote peace and security, as economic growth is impossible in times of conflict. The Africa Prosperity Dialogues, therefore, serve as a call to action—reminding us that Africa’s time is now. The decisions we make here must not remain as mere resolutions; we must act with urgency, determination, and a shared vision for our prosperity. Let us rise to this occasion and break down the barriers that divide us and build an Africa that is strong, self-reliant, resilient, and globally competitive,” he added.
Quoting Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, President Mahama said, “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart”. He urged African leaders to embrace those forces that unite and chart a new path for Africa’s economic transformation.
He further lauded the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) for the successful organisation of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025.
The President called on African leaders to intensify efforts in the fight against corruption, saying that it deprives nations of crucial resources needed for development. He stressed the need for urgent action, stating that economic growth cannot be achieved in an environment of conflict and insecurity.
“We must promote peace and security as economic growth is impossible in times of conflict. It is therefore a call to action,” he declared. He urged leaders to translate discussions into tangible outcomes, rather than mere resolutions.
Private sector
The President further called on African governments to commit to partnering with the private sector to drive industrialization. He emphasised that this goal could be achieved through the establishment of special economic zones that promote manufacturing and innovation.
He stated that such partnerships would not only provide small and medium-sized enterprises— the backbone of African economies—with access to finance but would also boost investments in technical and vocational education to equip the youth with skills required for future industries.
“We must invest in infrastructure to facilitate trade, including efficient roads, rail networks, ports, and digital connectivity. Strengthening African supply chains will ensure that our industries produce goods and services that meet both regional and global standards,” he added.
The President said it was important for African countries to harmonize their trade policies, eliminate non-tariff barriers, and reduce the cost of doing business across borders. He urged swift action to operationalize the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, which would facilitate payments for goods and services across the continent.
According to the President, implementing these actions could unlock a $3.4 trillion market, creating jobs and prosperity for millions of Africans across the continent. “We must move beyond being exporters of raw materials to become producers of finished goods. Whether it’s cocoa in Ghana, oil in Nigeria, copper in Zambia, or diamonds in Botswana, we must process and add value to our natural resources,” he said.
He also explained that partnering with the private sector would not only increase Africa’s share of global trade but also create sustainable jobs, particularly for young people. He urged African leaders to indigenize the ownership of their natural resources by leveraging capital and technology to increase participation in the exploitation of these resources.