President John Dramani Mahama has urged the international community to overhaul the global financing system, arguing that Africa’s development must be supported by affordable, long-term funding rather than short-term assistance.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026, President Mahama said African countries need greater access to financing to build human capital, industrialise their economies and respond effectively to climate change.
He called for reforms that would give developing countries access to long-term and affordable concessionary financing, saying existing arrangements have not adequately supported the continent’s development ambitions.
“We demand reform. We need long-term, affordable, and accessible concessionary financing that enables developing economies to invest in human capital, industrialisation, and climate adaptation.”
President Mahama said Africa’s relationship with the international community should move beyond traditional aid arrangements towards partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests.
“Africa does not seek charity. Africa seeks equal partnership anchored in mutual respect,” he said.
He pointed to the continent’s youthful population, agricultural potential, cultural resources and deposits of critical minerals as assets that could contribute significantly to the global economy, particularly the transition to cleaner energy.
“Our continent possesses the world’s youngest population, vast arable land, unparalleled cultural vitality, and the critical minerals required to drive the global green energy transition,” he said.
The President’s remarks come as he promotes what his government describes as a broader reset in Ghana’s engagement with international partners, with an emphasis on investment, productive enterprise and stronger national capacity. Ghana’s official engagements at the 81st UN General Assembly have included calls for international partners to move from short-term programmes towards long-term capability building.
President Mahama maintained that improving access to development finance would be critical to enabling African countries to pursue their own development priorities while building resilience against economic and climate-related pressures.
His call places reform of the international financial system at the centre of Africa’s development agenda, with the continent seeking financing arrangements that support long-term economic transformation rather than dependence on short-term assistance.
