President John Dramani Mahama has urged African countries to abandon the long-held perception of being mere traders and instead embrace industrialisation and entrepreneurship as the key to economic transformation.
Addressing participants at the 2025 Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 19, Mr Mahama emphasized that the continent must take advantage of emerging global economic shifts caused by geopolitical tensions and trade realignments.
“Africa must shake itself out of the mindset that we are only traders,” he said, advocating a decisive shift toward sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, digital enterprise, and industrial innovation.
He lamented the continent’s historical failure to benefit from significant global changes — from the Cold War era to the height of globalization — and urged leaders not to miss the new wave of opportunities now presenting themselves.
“The world is changing and new opportunities are being thrown up, and we as a country must take advantage of those opportunities,” Mr Mahama said.
Referring to the growing trade disputes between global powers, he explained that they were triggering “global shifts in terms of production,” and called on African governments to position themselves to benefit strategically.
“We can be anything that we want,” he stated, highlighting the importance of mindset change and the urgency for economic self-determination.
The Kwahu Business Forum, a key part of Ghana’s annual Easter festivities, convenes entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to explore ideas for sustainable growth and private sector-led development across Africa.
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