President John Dramani Mahama participated in the Opening Townhall Meeting of the Munich Security Conference today, where he joined global leaders, policymakers, and economic experts in discussing the theme “Building or Burning Bridges: Economic and Development Cooperation Amid Multi-polarisation.” Held at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, the event brought together influential voices to analyze shifting global dynamics and their impact on international collaboration.
One of the key points of President Mahama’s address was the need for Africa to become more self-reliant, particularly in terms of food production, in the face of diminishing foreign aid. The former Ghanaian president pointed out that many African nations are increasingly uncertain about the future of external support, particularly following recent cuts in aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Mahama stressed that this shift should serve as a wake-up call for African nations to strengthen their agricultural systems.
“We cannot continue to depend on aid indefinitely,” President Mahama asserted. “The recent cuts in USAID support should be a wake-up call for Africa to strengthen its agricultural sector and food production systems. We have the land, the human resources, and the potential to achieve food security on our own terms.”
President Mahama called for significant investments in mechanized farming, enhanced irrigation systems, and intra-African trade to create long-term food security and economic stability. He emphasized that Africa’s agricultural potential must be fully harnessed to prevent reliance on external aid.
In addition to food security, President Mahama also highlighted the growing challenge of climate change, which is already having devastating effects on Africa’s agriculture, water supply, and economic stability. Despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, the continent faces the brunt of climate change’s consequences. Mahama urged both global cooperation and African governments to take proactive measures to mitigate these impacts.
“Climate change is not a distant threat—it is already affecting our agriculture, water supply, and overall economic stability. We need global cooperation to address this crisis, but we must also take responsibility for building climate-resilient economies,” President Mahama stated.
During the session, Mahama also discussed Africa’s role in an increasingly multipolar world, where power is distributed among several global powers. With Africa’s young and rapidly growing population, Mahama expressed optimism about the continent’s potential to become a major global player in trade and innovation.
“Trade in Africa is growing exponentially. We have the human resources and the market size to be a major player in the global economy. The challenge is ensuring that African nations cooperate strategically to maximize our collective strength,” he said.
Further advocating for regional integration, Mahama stressed the importance of frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which can foster stronger regional partnerships, industrialization, and fair trade practices across the continent.
President Mahama’s participation in the Munich Security Conference showcased his ongoing commitment to advocating for Africa’s economic independence, climate resilience, and a more equitable global trading system. His remarks set the stage for continued dialogue on how nations can navigate the complexities of international cooperation in a multipolar world while addressing the challenges of food security and climate change.
