Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has challenged his African counterparts to drop old ideologies of exporting raw materials but shift to production of high-value finished goods.
“The time has come for us to add value to Africa’s exports. The time has come for us to claim a fairer share of our natural resource endowments,” Mahama said.
Mahama warned that Africa continues to operate within global systems ‘rigged against it,’ locking the continent into exporting unprocessed raw materials while re-importing costly finished products.
The Ghanaian leader made the remarks during the independence day celebrations in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
“Our forebearers won us political independence. It is the responsibility of our current generation of African leadership to win economic independence and prosperity for our people,” he said.
For Africa to advance to Mahama’s wish, he said governments should adjust to transparent governance, empower youth, and accelerate intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The time has come for us to unleash the creativity and energies of our young people,” he added.
Kenya is currently holding several events to celebrate the 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations.
“On this day, we pay respect to the memories of our forebearers who fought for our freedom—and we do not take their sacrifice for granted,” Mahama noted.
