President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger domestic resource mobilisation, improved public-sector delivery and a shift toward long-term development financing as countries in the Global South face mounting debt pressures and disruption to the international economic order.
Speaking at a presidential roundtable organised by the Open Society Foundation on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), Mahama said countries such as Ghana must strengthen their ability to pursue economic and social priorities regardless of changes in the global environment.
“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.”
The roundtable brought together presidents and chief executives of major global foundations, with discussions focusing on international development, institutional capacity and the role of partnerships in responding to global challenges.
Accra Reset Targets Greater Development Autonomy
Mahama used the discussion to highlight the Accra Reset initiative, which he said is intended to help countries respond with greater urgency and self-reliance as global conditions change.
“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.”
The president linked the initiative to the ability of governments to set priorities, negotiate effectively and mobilise resources without compromising their development objectives.
“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.”
For Ghana, the comments underscore the importance of strengthening domestic institutions and financing systems to support economic policy implementation and reduce vulnerability to external disruptions.
Agenda 2063 and Africa’s Financing Challenge
Mahama said Africa already has a long-term development framework through Agenda 2063, which seeks to promote productive economies, stronger institutions, deeper regional integration and expanded opportunities.
He urged African leaders to focus on building the financing capabilities and delivery systems needed to translate the framework into measurable outcomes.
The president acknowledged that Ghana still has substantial work to do to exercise greater ownership over its development trajectory, identifying coordination across government, programme preparation, domestic revenue mobilisation and financial management as key priorities.
“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.
He also called for greater involvement from civil society, businesses, academia and local communities in national development efforts.
“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.”
Foundations Urged to Finance Long-Term Capacity
The president called on international partners and philanthropic organisations to move beyond short-term interventions and place greater emphasis on building national capabilities.
His remarks come as development institutions and governments confront financing constraints and the need to improve the effectiveness of development assistance.
“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.
Mahama said foundations have a distinct role in supporting public goods, institutional development and programmes that may not attract sufficient commercial financing.
“Foundations have room to operate differently because they can support institutional capability, early programme development, public goods and social priorities,” he said.
He added that successful initiatives should eventually be integrated into public systems and supported by sustainable financing arrangements. “Where an approach proves successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions, and long-term financing models.”
The president’s comments position institutional capacity, domestic financing and stronger partnerships as central elements of Ghana’s development agenda amid changes in the global economic and development landscape.
