President John Dramani Mahama has warned that Africa’s quest for genuine sovereignty continues to be weakened by what he describes as a “triple dependency” on external actors for security, social services, and the exploitation of critical minerals.
Addressing the Zambian Parliament on Thursday, February 5, President Mahama said many African countries remain trapped in structural dependencies that restrict their ability to chart independent and sustainable development paths.
“Too many African countries remain trapped in what I describe as a triple dependency — dependency on external actors for security choices, dependency on donors for health and education systems, and dependency on suppliers of critical minerals while capturing little or no value,” he stated.
According to him, this pattern has significantly undermined Africa’s sovereignty and prevented the continent from fully harnessing its vast human and natural resources.
The President described the situation as a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential,” pointing to rising youth unemployment, fragile health systems, and extractive economic models that generate wealth without building domestic capacity.
“Africa therefore faces a different pandemic — the pandemic of unfulfilled potential. Millions of our young people remain unemployed, health systems are fragile, and economies extract wealth without building capacity,” he noted.
President Mahama urged African leaders to confront these realities with honesty and adopt policies focused on self-reliance, value addition, and inclusive growth.
He emphasised the need for the continent to shift away from raw material export dependence and instead prioritise industrialisation and strategic partnerships that benefit African economies.
He also referenced his recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he spoke about the Accra Reset Initiative as part of efforts to reposition Africa’s development agenda and redefine its growth trajectory.
Despite the challenges, President Mahama expressed optimism about the continent’s future.
“History teaches us that a crisis can sharpen resolve, and so Africa must take its destiny into its own hands,” he said.
President Mahama is in Zambia on a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and deepening cooperation between Ghana and Zambia across key sectors.
