President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders to forge common positions on major international issues, saying greater unity would give the continent more influence in shaping the emerging global order.
Mahama said Africa’s ability to influence global affairs depends on its capacity to coordinate its positions rather than approach major issues as individual countries.
“I believe that this is a time for the continent to become more integrated and united than we’ve been in the past,” Mahama said in an interview with Ghida Fakhry on TRT World’s Bigger Than Five.
He pointed to Africa’s campaign for reparations and reform of the United Nations Security Council as examples of what could be achieved when African countries and other members of the Global South coordinate their positions.
On UN reform, Mahama said African countries had already reached a consensus in favour of expanding the Security Council and securing greater African representation, arguing that the continent should first unite around that objective before addressing the question of veto powers.
“We need to change our strategy and we need to speak with one voice,” he said.
Mahama said stronger continental integration was also necessary to support trade, movement of people and goods and Africa’s broader economic ambitions.
He cited tensions over migration in South Africa as a setback to continental integration, while calling for migration issues to be addressed through African Union discussions rather than vigilantism.
“Africa needs more integration at this point,” Mahama said.
His call forms part of the broader Accra Reset agenda, which seeks greater African economic self-reliance and a stronger role for the continent in global decision-making.
