Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama delivered a compelling call to action for the African continent during a high-profile address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

President Mahama warned that Africa risks falling behind in a rapidly evolving global economy unless it prioritises investment in skills development, continental unity, and industrialisation.

Speaking before global political and business leaders, President Mahama stressed that the world is entering an era where nations must innovate and build competitive economic ecosystems — and that Africa’s youth are watching closely.

“Our young people are brilliant, they’re hungry, and they’re running out of patience,” Mahama said, urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric to concrete action.

Skills for the Real Economy

Mahama highlighted the urgent need for skills development that aligns with real labour market demands, especially in areas such as digital technology, green energy, and manufacturing. He argued that simply increasing access to education is not enough — training must be tailored to the jobs emerging in a digitised and decarbonising global economy.

“We must invest in skills. Not just education, but skills that match real jobs in the real economy,” Mahama said, emphasising that Africa needs a generation of workers capable of building industries rather than merely consuming foreign products.

Industrialisation and Shared Prosperity

The president also called for collaborative efforts to boost industrial capacity across the continent. He urged countries to develop regional manufacturing zones, shared energy infrastructure, and continental digital networks that could give businesses the scale they need to compete globally.

“No African country can industrialise alone,” Mahama said.

He encouraged African governments to work together to reduce dependency on foreign markets and build resilient supply chains — especially for critical goods such as vaccines, semiconductors, and renewable energy components.

Unity as Strategy, Not Slogan

Beyond industrial policy, Mahama made a strategic case for true continental unity, not just in words but in actionable frameworks, particularly in international negotiations on trade, climate finance, and resource governance. He urged African countries to coordinate and bargain collectively to secure better terms in global markets.

“When we bargain separately, we’re weak. When we negotiate together, we’re formidable,” he said, underscoring how unity can enhance Africa’s influence and bargaining power on the world stage.

Reform and Accountability

Finally, Mahama warned that corruption and weak governance threaten investment and confidence in African economies. He called for stronger accountability mechanisms and institutional reforms that can attract sustainable investment and ensure that growth benefits citizens across the continent.

“We cannot ask the world to invest in us if we tolerate corruption, waste, and systems that don’t work,” he said.

Looking Ahead

President Mahama’s remarks at Davos come amid broader discussions on Africa’s future economic trajectory.

His address underscored that investment in skills, industry, and unity is essential not only for individual national success but for ensuring that Africa participates fully and competitively in the global economy of the coming decades.

Watch his full speech below.

A recent episode of Deutsche Welle’s AfricaLink podcast gave President John Dramani Mahama’s second and final term high marks after comparing it the final year of the previous administration under Nana Akufo-Addo.

In the January 21, 2026, episode titled “Is Ghana better off under President Mahama?”, host Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena was joined by two prominent voices: Dr. John Osae Kwapong of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and DW’s own Eric Mawuena Egbeta, Ghana correspondent.

The panel reached a cautiously optimistic but far from celebratory consensus: Ghana is moderately better off in macro-economic terms one year into Mahama’s return, but the gains remain early, fragile, and largely invisible to ordinary citizens. Both panelists described 2025 as a stabilization phase rather than a decisive turnaround.

Key points of agreement from the discussion:

• Macro-economic improvements
  The cedi has been one of Africa’s best-performing currencies in 2025, inflation has eased significantly from the high double digits of 2024, and international institutions (IMF, World Bank) have revised growth projections upward — describing 2025 as “better than expected.”
• Policy coherence & Reset Agenda
  The “Reset Agenda” is viewed as a serious attempt to restore institutional credibility, signal anti-corruption intent, and re-establish fiscal discipline after several years of turbulence.
• Persistent delivery gaps
  Major 2024 campaign promises — including the 24-hour economy, large-scale farmer welfare packages, drastic cuts in wasteful public spending, and accelerated job creation — remain largely unfulfilled or only partially implemented. Youth unemployment, cost-of-living pressures, and visible infrastructure delivery are still acute pain points for most households.
• Governance style critique
  Both panelists noted that decision-making remains highly centralized, with limited visible progress on decentralization and devolution — issues Mahama campaigned heavily on.

Definitive panel verdict:

Ghana is directionally better under Mahama — the economic bleeding has stopped, the cedi is steadier, inflation is down, and there is more policy coherence than in late 2024. But it is far too early to call this a decisive turnaround. Ordinary Ghanaians are not yet feeling meaningful improvement in their pockets, jobs, or daily lives. The real test of Mahama 2.0 will come in 2026–2028: can macro stability be converted into tangible jobs, lower living costs, and visible infrastructure? So far: promising start, but no clear victory.

The episode reflects a broader sentiment in many Ghanaian and diaspora discussions: cautious hope tempered by impatience for faster, more visible change. A new nationwide public opinion poll conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) shows that 58 per cent of Ghanaians are satisfied with the current direction of the country.

Listen to the full episode here:
DW AfricaLink – Is Ghana better off under President Mahama?

A new nationwide public opinion poll conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) shows that 58 per cent of Ghanaians are satisfied with the current direction of the country.

The findings of the survey reflect growing public confidence following significant economic improvements in 2025.

The IEA survey, carried out between 20 and 28 December 2025 with responses from 1,022 citizens across all 16 regions, found that a notable majority of Ghanaians believe the nation is progressing, although a substantial minority remains unconvinced about national developments.

Economic Gains Fuel Public Optimism

According to the IEA, the uptick in positive sentiment is closely linked to tangible macroeconomic gains recorded in 2025. Among the key factors cited:

• Cedi appreciation — The Ghanaian cedi strengthened by roughly 32 % against the U.S. dollar between 2024 and 2025, helping reduce the cost of imported goods.
• Inflation drop — Inflation fell sharply from 23.8 % in 2024 to 5.4 % in 2025, easing pressure on household budgets and contributing to lower fuel and consumer prices.
• Debt sustainability — The debt-to-GDP ratio declined significantly, from 61.8 % at the end of 2024 to about 45 % by October 2025, bolstering confidence in economic policy and fiscal management.
• Lower borrowing costs — Average lending rates eased, with the cost of borrowing dropping from 30.2 % to 22.2 %, potentially supporting both business investment and household credit.

These developments, the IEA said, point to a gradual restoration of confidence among citizens hopeful for continued stability and growth under the current government.

Uneven Public Views Highlight Ongoing Challenges

Despite the overall positive trend, the survey also revealed that 34 per cent of respondents are unhappy with the country’s direction, and 8 per cent remain uncertain. The IEA cautioned that this sizeable minority underscores lingering concerns among Ghanaians whose daily lives may not yet reflect the macro-level improvements.

The Institute stressed that sustaining optimism will require continued progress on grassroots issues such as job creation, cost of living, equitable access to services, and regional development, which are critical to improving the everyday experiences of citizens.

Looking Ahead

Political analysts suggest that these findings may signal a stabilising public outlook following a period of economic volatility in earlier years.

However, the results also reveal that despite macroeconomic indicators trending positively, many Ghanaians are still grappling with the pace and distribution of change.