The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has called for Africa to position itself as an equal partner in the evolving global economic order rather than remaining a supplier of raw materials.
He made the remarks while addressing the Third Meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Movement for the Freedom of Nations in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, on June 25, 2026.
According to Asiedu Nketia, growing global competition for Africa’s critical minerals, energy resources, digital infrastructure and emerging markets presents both opportunities and challenges for the continent.
“The world is entering a period of renewed competition for resources, influence and strategic advantage,” he said.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with this. Every nation pursues its interests. The question is whether Africa will participate in this new phase of global competition as an equal partner or merely as a source of inputs for the ambitions of others.”
He warned that Africa must avoid repeating historical patterns in which it exports strategic resources while other countries capture most of the economic value.
“The challenge before Africa is to ensure that the 21st century does not become another chapter in which the continent supplies strategic resources while others capture the greater share of the value they create,” he stated.
Asiedu Nketia noted that the global economy is undergoing significant transformation driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, digital infrastructure and the transition to cleaner energy.
He said Africa possesses many of the resources needed for these industries but stressed that the continent’s future would depend on its own decisions.
“The answer will depend less on what others do and more on the choices we make ourselves: the quality of our institutions, the sophistication of our economies, the strength of our educational systems and our willingness to think strategically about the long term,” he said.
The NDC Chairman further argued that Africa’s struggle against neocolonialism should be anchored in sound governance and economic transformation rather than rhetoric.
“The struggle against neocolonialism cannot ultimately be won through rhetoric alone. It will be won through competent governance, industrial capacity, technological capability, effective regional integration and the ability of states to negotiate from positions of confidence rather than dependency,” he said.
He urged African countries to focus on creating value from their natural resources, developing technological capabilities and strengthening institutions to achieve genuine economic sovereignty.
Asiedu Nketia also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to international cooperation, saying the country supports partnerships based on mutual respect rather than dependence.
“The objective is not to divide the world into rival camps. The objective is to contribute to an international order in which partnership genuinely means partnership, where sovereignty is respected regardless of a nation’s size and where development is not constrained by permanent hierarchies inherited from history,” he said.
He added that such an international order would strengthen the legitimacy, stability and resilience of the global system while promoting equitable development among nations.
