As global trade tensions continue to reshape the international market, former President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted Ghana’s proactive measures to navigate the evolving landscape.
Speaking at the ongoing African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, President Mahama noted that the ongoing global trade war — marked by rising tariffs, protectionist policies, and shifting alliances — presents not just challenges, but fresh opportunities for Africa.
According to him, the shift in world trade patterns is a critical moment for African nations to deepen trade among themselves.
“It sends a signal to Africa that we need to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps there is not going to be a free dinner anywhere and that means that one we must mobilise more revenue locally and with the assistance of the African Development Bank, I think that we are doing quite fine but domestically we must mobilise revenue locally. We must add value to our products and we must get a better share for the natural resource endowment God has given us,” he said.
President Mahama praised the African Development Bank (AfDB) for its strong commitment to boosting trade infrastructure across the continent. He highlighted how the bank’s funding support — particularly for road construction and port expansion — has been instrumental in enhancing the smooth movement of goods and people, ultimately driving improved trade within Africa.
“So I believe it is a signal to all of us to look inward and see how we can trade more amongst ourselves. We have the protocol on the African Intercontinental Free Trade Area which the majority of African nations have ratified. This means is that we have the opportunity to trade amongst ourselves and I am happy that the African Development Bank and other partners have focused on investing in the trade infrastructure amongst ourselves.
It is not enough to just have a protocol on intercontinental free trade if you do not have the railways, the highways, the aviation connections to be able to exchange goods amongst yourselves,” he added.
Mahama also placed a spotlight on one of West Africa’s biggest exports: cocoa. He called for a significant increase in cocoa processing by Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s two largest cocoa producers. Currently, Ghana processes about 40% of its cocoa, while Côte d’Ivoire processes 50%. Mahama is pushing for Ghana to match its neighbor and reach 50% processing within the next five years.
