Accra, Ghana, October 25, 2026: President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to embrace the Accra Reset initiative, advocating a shift from dependence on raw material exports towards domestic industrialisation, economic sovereignty and shared prosperity.
He made the call on Saturday, October 24, 2026, while addressing the 12th High-Level Tana Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
The forum, held under the theme “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation,” brought together African leaders, policymakers, security experts and development partners to discuss the continent’s peace and security challenges.
President Mahama outlined four priorities under the Accra Reset: processing Africa’s raw materials locally, building domestic industrial capacity, securing food and energy sovereignty, and making the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) an effective driver of continental trade and prosperity.
“The Accra Reset demands that we fundamentally restructure our economies,” he said, calling for African countries to move beyond exporting unprocessed resources and strengthen their capacity to create value at home.
Economic sovereignty and peace
President Mahama linked economic exclusion, particularly among young people, to the fragility of peace across the continent.
“When our youth are economically disenfranchised, peace remains fragile,” he said, describing economic sovereignty as a critical buffer against insecurity.
He warned that intensifying geopolitical rivalries, competition for critical minerals, disruptions to global supply chains and rapid technological change were reshaping the international order.
He urged African countries to strengthen cooperation and resist becoming arenas for external competition over strategic interests.
The President also called for closer alignment with countries across Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean to advocate reforms to global governance institutions and promote a more equitable international system.
Africa must finance its own priorities
President Mahama said African countries must assume greater responsibility for funding their development and security priorities.
He cited the African Union Peace Fund, efforts to curb illicit financial flows and the development of domestic technological capacity as areas requiring stronger African ownership and investment.
He maintained that international partnerships remained important but should support African-led priorities rather than reinforce structural dependence.
President Mahama also challenged participants at the forum to close the gap between policy formulation and implementation, urging leaders to translate discussions into practical outcomes.
The Tana Forum serves as a continental platform for discussions on governance, peace and security, bringing together leaders and experts to explore African-led responses to emerging threats and instability.
