President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at a presidential roundtable organised by the Open Society Foundation in New York on Monday, argued that the international development landscape is evolving rapidly, with the global order facing severe disruption as countries in the Global South contend with mounting debt pressures.
At the roundtable on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly were presidents and chief executives of major global foundations.
The president made a strong case that, despite the turmoil and challenges, opportunities for innovation and reform remain.
“In all the disruption and chaos are born new ideas and partnerships,” President Mahama said. “This is when we must create jobs for our people, improve public services, build infrastructure, and expand opportunity, especially for our young people. For countries such as Ghana, the question is how we strengthen our ability to pursue those priorities with greater confidence and continuity, whatever the changes taking place around us.”
According to the President, Africa has already defined its long-term strategic pathway through Agenda 2063, a framework focused on building productive economies, robust institutions, deeper regional integration, expanded opportunities, and a stronger African voice in global affairs.
He stressed that the continent’s leaders must immediately strengthen the institutions, financing capabilities, and delivery systems needed to achieve these ambitions.
Touching on the “Accra Reset” Initiative, President Mahama told the gathering that the initiative addresses what nations need to act with greater urgency and self-reliance in a shifting global context.
“The Accra Reset asks what countries need to act with urgency in a changing world, and what a more balanced relationship with international partners could look like.”
“When I speak about sovereignty in this context, I am speaking about the capacity to act. A country needs to be able to set its priorities, negotiate effectively, mobilise resources, and follow through on its decisions.”
Acknowledging internal challenges, the President noted that Ghana still has significant progress to make to exercise full ownership over its development trajectory.
“We need stronger coordination across government, better preparation of programs and projects, greater domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management, and institutions that can demonstrate clear results,” he said.
“We must also leverage capabilities outside government, including civil society, business, academia, and local communities. We must carry our share of the responsibility if we want greater room to lead.”
Turning to international partners and philanthropic organisations, Mahama urged global institutions to shift from short-term programmes to long-term capability building.
“Can international cooperation do more to build national capability and work through local systems when they meet required standards? Can we reduce unnecessary duplication while protecting accountability?” he asked.
Highlighting the vital role of philanthropy in health, education, governance, and research across Africa, President Mahama called on foundations to use their unique flexibility to fund public goods and institutional capacity where commercial finance cannot.
“Foundations have room to operate differently because they can support institutional capability, early programme development, public goods and social priorities,” he concluded.
“Where an approach proves successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions, and long-term financing models.”