President John Dramani Mahama has positioned Ghana as a leading gateway for investment into Africa, declaring that the country is prepared to anchor the next phase of global investment growth through stability, reform and a clear development vision.
Speaking at the 12th African Debate in London, the President said Ghana’s ongoing transformation reflects a broader continental opportunity, as emerging economies increasingly shape global growth patterns through expanding populations, rising consumption and untapped productive capacity.
He told investors and policymakers that Ghana is strategically placed to serve as a reliable entry point for manufacturing, finance, innovation and regional trade across West Africa and beyond.
“And Ghana stands ready to serve as one of the continent’s most reliable gateways for investment, manufacturing, finance, innovation, and the expansion of regional trade”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Calls for Fairer Global Partnerships
President Mahama used his address to call for a fundamental reassessment of global economic systems, arguing that Africa’s development potential is being constrained by structural inequalities in the international financial architecture.
He stressed that meaningful partnerships must be grounded in honesty and fairness, particularly in addressing long-standing challenges such as unequal borrowing costs, limited access to technology, and inadequate climate financing. “Redefining partnerships requires honesty,” he stated.
According to him, African countries continue to face disproportionately high borrowing costs despite their significant growth potential, while many commitments made to developing economies remain unfulfilled.
He also pointed to persistent trade barriers that limit African access to global markets, describing the situation as incompatible with a balanced global economy. “This must change,” he added.
Push for Value Addition and Debt Reform
The President emphasised the need for African economies to move away from dependence on raw material exports and instead prioritise value addition and industrial transformation.
“True partnership requires trade that rewards value addition. Africa must no longer be seen as an exporter of raw materials, only to import finished products at significantly higher costs”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama also called for faster, fairer and more inclusive debt restructuring mechanisms that support development rather than constrain it.
He argued that climate finance commitments must be delivered in full, noting that Africa contributes the least to global emissions but suffers disproportionately from climate impacts.
Highlighting the importance of technology, President Mahama said Africa’s digital transformation must be driven by collaboration rather than dependency.
He called for stronger knowledge sharing and partnerships that build local capacity and support innovation ecosystems across the continent. He also urged reforms to global governance institutions to reflect Africa’s demographic and economic significance in today’s world.
UK and Africa Must Build New Partnerships
President Mahama said the United Kingdom has a unique opportunity to redefine its relationship with Africa beyond historical ties, shifting towards a more strategic economic partnership.
He noted that Africa represents one of the world’s most important growth frontiers and that deeper UK-Africa cooperation can deliver mutual benefits. For the United Kingdom, he said, such partnerships could support trade diversification, energy transition goals, financial services expansion and innovation collaboration.
For Africa, he explained, stronger ties could accelerate industrialisation, infrastructure development, technology transfer, education partnerships and improved access to capital.
“This relationship must therefore evolve from one that is primarily shaped by aid to one that is anchored in enterprise innovation and investment,” he said. He commended organisations such as Invest Africa for supporting stronger commercial linkages between Africa and global investors.
Africa as a Rising Global Force
President Mahama urged investors to view Africa not as a risk but as a major opportunity for future growth, stressing that emerging regions will play an increasingly important role in shaping the global economy.
He explained that demographic growth, urbanisation, and rising consumption across the continent position Africa as a key driver of the next phase of global expansion.
Concluding his address, the President said Africa is already undergoing transformation driven by innovation, enterprise and reform, with Ghana actively contributing to that progress.
He reiterated that the continent is not waiting for external rescue but is building its own future through reform and investment. “Africa is not waiting to be rescued. Africa is building. Africa is innovating and transforming. And Ghana is proud to be part of that transformation,” he stated.
Referencing Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, he said the future belongs to those who prepare for it, adding that Ghana and Africa are positioning themselves to take advantage of emerging global opportunities.
The President’s address at the 12th Africa Debate in London reinforced Ghana’s ambition to serve as a stable and strategic investment hub within Africa while advocating for a more balanced and inclusive global economic system built on partnership, innovation and shared prosperity.
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