Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has urged African leaders to prioritize the empowerment of youth and women in governance, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping the continent’s future.
Speaking at a high-level forum on African development, Mahama underscored the importance of inclusive leadership in driving sustainable growth and progress across the continent.
“Africa’s future lies in its youth,” he stated, highlighting that over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25. Despite this, he noted, young people remain largely absent from policymaking, a situation that risks neglecting their perspectives and potential contributions.
Mahama called for the establishment of frameworks that empower young people and women to take on leadership roles at all levels of governance. “What matters to Africa’s future are robust frameworks that enable our young people and our women to lead and contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes,” he said.
Reflecting on Ghana’s recent strides, Mahama expressed pride in a historic milestone: “In the last election, for the first time in Ghana’s history, we elected a woman as vice president.” He described this achievement as a significant step forward in demonstrating the importance of gender inclusion in leadership.
He further emphasized the creativity and vision of Africa’s youth as critical drivers of the continent’s transformation. “Our youth’s innovation and vision are key to building the Africa we all seek,” he remarked, urging African leaders to harness the energy and talent of the younger generation to achieve developmental goals.
Continental Free Trade and Economic Growth
Addressing economic integration, Mahama highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a foundational step toward creating a single African market. However, he cautioned that significant work remains to fully realize the potential of the agreement.
“We must address the barriers to trade and harmonize regulatory frameworks,” Mahama said, stressing the need for collaboration among African nations to remove obstacles and create a unified market that fosters economic growth and development.
Mahama’s call to action resonated with the audience, as he urged policymakers, civil society, and the private sector to prioritize the inclusion of underrepresented groups in decision-making processes and to tackle structural challenges limiting Africa’s progress.
His remarks come at a critical time when African nations are seeking solutions to issues such as youth unemployment, gender inequality, and trade barriers, all of which are crucial to achieving the continent’s ambitious development agenda.
