Mahama reveals thinking behind Accra Reset   

President John Dramani Mahama has explained the rationale behind the Accra Reset initiative and outlined Ghana’s broader vision of a more self-reliant and integrated African continent.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, President Mahama said the initiative emerged after the withdrawal of $174 million in development support that had been programmed into Ghana’s national budget.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the withdrawal created significant funding gaps, including an annual $74 million shortfall in the health sector, affecting areas such as medical research, HIV testing and programmes supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

President Mahama said the development highlighted the need for Africa to strengthen its health sovereignty by developing the capacity to produce essential medicines and vaccines locally rather than depending heavily on external supply chains.

He also addressed the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel, linking the rise in instability to developments following the Libya conflict, including the proliferation of arms and the movement of terrorist groups into the region.

He said the military coups that subsequently occurred in some Sahelian countries should be viewed against that wider security background.

On relations between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), President Mahama advocated continued dialogue and efforts to restore cooperation.

He stressed that combating terrorism required collaboration among countries in the region as well as support from the international community.

President Mahama said Ghana was also strengthening surveillance and intelligence-sharing arrangements with neighbouring countries to enhance border security and respond to emerging threats.

Turning to Ghana’s upcoming role as Chair of the African Union (AU) in 2027, the President said the country would seek to use the position to advance practical continental initiatives.

He identified regional integration, facilitating the movement of goods across African countries and supporting efforts to promote peace and security as some of the key areas Ghana intends to prioritise during its chairmanship.