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 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.

Ghana has recorded 980 confirmed cases of mpox (monkeypox) as of mid-January 2026, with 12 new infections reported in the latest weekly update from the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

According to the GHS weekly epidemiological bulletin released on January 18, 2026, the country’s cumulative mpox caseload now stands at 980, with the majority of infections concentrated in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, and Western regions.

The 12 new cases bring the total number of active cases under monitoring to 78, while 902 individuals have recovered and been discharged.

Health authorities continue to stress that most cases remain mild, with no fatalities recorded to date. However, the sustained increase in weekly infections has prompted renewed calls for public vigilance, especially in high-transmission areas.

The GHS has intensified contact tracing, community sensitization, and vaccination efforts targeting high-risk groups.

“We are seeing a steady but manageable rise in cases,” said Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in a media briefing. “The key remains early detection, isolation of confirmed cases, and public adherence to preventive measures such as hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected persons, and reporting symptoms promptly.”

Ghana detected its first mpox case in September 2022 and declared the outbreak a public health emergency in mid-2024. The country has administered over 120,000 doses of the mpox vaccine (primarily Jynneos) through targeted campaigns in hotspot districts. Despite this, transmission continues in both urban and rural settings, driven largely by close personal contact.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained mpox as a public health emergency of international concern in parts of Africa, with Ghana among the countries reporting persistent community transmission. Neighboring countries, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia, have also recorded elevated cases in recent months.

For the global Ghanaian diaspora, expats, and international travelers, the GHS continues to advise:

• Avoid close physical contact with individuals showing mpox symptoms (rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes).
• Practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear after travel to affected areas.

Health officials remain optimistic that sustained public education, vaccination coverage, and contact tracing will help curb the outbreak in the coming months.