Mahama outlines Accra Reset Vision and Push for a more self-reliant Africa

Story by: Regina Bless

President John Dramani Mahama has outlined the thinking behind the Accra Reset, describing it as part of Ghana’s broader effort to promote greater self-reliance, stronger regional cooperation and a more integrated Africa.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, President Mahama said the initiative was shaped in part by disruptions to development assistance, including the withdrawal of US$174 million in programmed support and an annual US$74 million gap in health-sector funding. He said the experience exposed vulnerabilities in areas including medical research, HIV testing and programmes supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Push for health sovereignty

President Mahama said the funding disruptions reinforced the need for African countries to strengthen their own health systems and reduce excessive dependence on external support.

He argued that African countries need greater capacity to conduct medical research and produce essential medicines and vaccines locally, supported by stronger regional manufacturing and distribution networks.

The position forms a central part of the Accra Reset’s health agenda. A report launched by the initiative, “A Sovereign Future for Health,” contains ten recommendations aimed at strengthening national and regional capacity and reducing dependence on external funding.

According to the Presidency, Ghana intends to work with international partners, including institutions in Brazil, India, Indonesia, the Gulf and across Africa, to connect research, regulatory oversight, local manufacturing and reliable distribution.

Security challenges in the Sahel

The President also addressed instability in the Sahel, linking the deterioration of the region’s security situation to developments following the Libya conflict, the proliferation of weapons and the movement of terrorist groups into the region.

He said the subsequent military coups should be viewed against this wider security background, while stressing the need for cooperation in confronting terrorism.

On relations between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), President Mahama called for continued dialogue and efforts to rebuild bridges among countries in the region.

He maintained that the fight against terrorism requires cooperation across borders and said Ghana is strengthening surveillance and intelligence-sharing with neighbouring countries to help protect its borders.

Ghana prepares for AU leadership

Looking ahead to Ghana’s 2027 African Union Chairmanship, President Mahama said the country intends to use the opportunity to advance the Accra Reset agenda within Africa’s collective policy framework.

Ghana has identified continental integration, implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), peace and security, and strengthening Africa’s collective voice as areas of focus for its upcoming AU leadership.

The President has also said Ghana will work with the Non-Aligned Movement and the G77 plus China to advance discussions on global governance and greater self-reliance among countries of the Global South.

From dependence to capacity

The message from the New York engagement was that Africa’s development challenges cannot be addressed solely through external assistance.

For President Mahama, the Accra Reset represents an attempt to shift the conversation toward African capacity — from health and manufacturing to regional trade, security and institutional cooperation.

As Ghana prepares to take the AU chairmanship in 2027, the implementation of these priorities will provide an opportunity to translate the Accra Reset from an international policy initiative into practical continental programmes.