President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Africa faces new forms of domination despite decades of political independence, urging leaders to push for economic liberation, technological sovereignty, and stronger continental unity.
Speaking at the 80th anniversary commemoration of the Fifth Pan-African Congress in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Ghanaian leader warned that Africa lacks major global influence despite its wealth.
“Africa remains a continent rich in natural resources but poor in global influence.”
President Mahama argued that the continent now faces “economic, technological, ideological and political” forms of domination, even though the chains of colonialism are broken.
He stressed that the political independence envisioned by early Pan-Africanists was only the first step.
“Political liberation must open the door to economic and social liberation,” he said.
He noted that the 1945 Manchester gathering became “the turning point that accelerated the liberation of our continent from colonial domination.” Leaders like Nkrumah, Padmore, Du Bois, Kenyatta, and Makonnen left a clear message:
“Africa must take its destiny into its own owns … and the dignity of African people is not negotiable.”
He identified modern challenges as the struggle for economic transformation, climate justice, technological independence, and a fairer global financial order. He criticized the global political and financial architecture for undermining Africa’s progress, particularly on climate issues.
“Africa contributes least to global emissions yet suffers most,” he said.
“We must approach global climate negotiations not as passive recipients of aid, but as equal partners demanding fairness, investment, and respect for our right to develop.”
To foster unity, President Mahama announced plans to form a League of African Free Movement Countries, an initial group of seven nations that will abolish visa requirements for each other’s citizens.
“I will write to the Presidents of the seven countries. If any of our citizens want to travel to each other’s countries, they won’t require a visa,” he said.
“It is a shame that we still have to travel to each other’s countries asking for a visa.”
He described this initiative as the first step toward a borderless Africa, concluding that the next generation of Pan-Africanists will embrace innovation.
“The next generation of Pan-Africanists will not gather in secret rooms. They will gather in innovation hubs, coding labs, creative studios, and digital communities,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
