Africa must take charge of its economic destiny – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders to adopt bold and strategic measures to position the continent as a significant force in the evolving global economy.

Speaking at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, President Mahama stressed that shifting global dynamics demand that Africa take greater responsibility for shaping its economic destiny.

“We are holding TICAD 9 against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world order. Multilateralism is on the retreat, and countries are increasingly acting unilaterally in their relationships with the rest of the world,” he said.

He expressed concern that instead of championing global trade and investment, the world’s largest economies are adopting protectionist policies. “The recent round of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs has sparked world trade and the global economy. The full effect of these trade wars will have a ripple effect on global growth and prosperity for years to come,” he cautioned.

President Mahama called for a “coalition of the willing” among African leaders to chart a sustainable path toward economic growth and global relevance. He highlighted the continent’s enormous potential, citing its population of 1.4 billion and a rapidly expanding middle class as key drivers of future prosperity.

“Africa is open for business, and it is the next frontier for trade and investment,” he emphasised.

While acknowledging the importance of partnerships such as TICAD, the president *noted* that the ultimate responsibility lies with African leaders to create conducive environments for trade and investment and to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) fulfills its promise of boosting intra-African trade and economic integration.

Meanwhile, Ghana and Japan have signalled a new push to deepen economic cooperation and accelerate priority infrastructure projects during a bilateral meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and the Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan on the sidelines of TICAD 9 in Yokohama.

President Mahama acknowledged Ghana’s central role in Japan’s cocoa supply, noting that Ghana accounts for about 70% of Japan’s cocoa imports.

He encouraged Japanese firms to expand investments in Ghana’s cocoa value chain, including a public–private partnership with the Cocoa Processing Company to revamp the plant and boost value addition.

The President also highlighted upcoming milestones in Ghana–Japan relations, including the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana and the 50th anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in 2027—anniversaries he previously discussed with H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana.