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Ghana Zambian Relations: President Mahama calls for economic reset and deeper cooperation
President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger economic cooperation, African self reliance and reforms in global systems to support the continent’s development during a state visit to Zambia.
Addressing the Zambian Parliament in Lusaka, President Mahama described the invitation to speak before the House as a great honour, noting that his experience as a former Member of Parliament and President made him familiar with parliamentary traditions.
He conveyed warm greetings from the government and people of Ghana and expressed appreciation for the hospitality shown to him and his delegation since their arrival in Zambia.
President Mahama explained that the visit reaffirmed the long standing friendship between Ghana and Zambia, which he traced to the liberation struggles of Africa under the leadership of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
He recalled Ghana’s historical support for Zambia’s independence, noting that many Zambian freedom fighters were influenced by Pan African ideals nurtured in Ghana.
He stressed that the responsibility of the current generation was to turn political solidarity into real economic and social benefits for citizens.
He pointed out that Africa was facing declining development assistance, rising defence spending and weak multilateral systems, a situation he described as a pandemic of unfulfilled potential.
The President indicated that millions of young Africans remained unemployed while many economies continued to extract wealth without building local capacity.
He urged African leaders to respond with realism and bold action.
President Mahama referred to the Accra Reset Initiative, which he has promoted on global platforms, including Davos, to encourage Africa to redefine its development path.
He observed that many African countries were trapped in triple dependency on external security actors, donor funding for health and education and foreign control of critical minerals.
He explained that the Accra Reset aimed to reform global systems that disadvantaged Africa, while promoting unity, self reliance and the use of the continent’s natural strengths for industrial growth.
He called for reforms in global governance, including greater African representation at the United Nations Security Council, and changes to international financial systems that keep Africa in debt.
Turning to Ghana’s experience, President Mahama outlined steps taken by his administration since returning to office one year ago.
He mentioned efforts focused on economic recovery, stability, job creation and inclusive growth, supported by fiscal discipline, productive investment and good governance.
He disclosed that the size of government had been reduced, public services were being digitalised to fight corruption and investments were being made in digital, green and industrial skills.
He added that Ghana had restructured its debts to prioritise investment in people.
The President noted that inflation in Ghana had dropped from 23.4 percent at the end of 2024 to 3.8 percent in January 2026, while the national currency had appreciated by 32 percent.
He added that Ghana was exiting the IMF programme with dignity and on sustainable terms.
He described these gains as beneficial not only to Ghana but also to regional integration, identifying Zambia as a natural partner.
He pointed to opportunities for cooperation in mining, agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
President Mahama emphasised the need for Africa to take greater control of its natural resources.
He criticised the practice of granting large concessions to speculators and called for stronger participation by indigenous companies in the extractive sector.
He highlighted Ghana’s establishment of a Gold Board to regulate gold exports, noting that exports from the artisanal and small scale mining sector had increased from 63 tonnes to 104 tonnes within ten months, generating more than 10 billion dollars in foreign exchange.
He added that Ghana had begun refining gold locally and planned to add value to manganese and bauxite.
As African Union Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama disclosed advocacy efforts to repatriate part of Africa’s foreign reserves for investment in African institutions such as the African Development Bank, to support infrastructure and economic growth.
He stressed that no African country could succeed in isolation and called for regional manufacturing zones, integrated energy systems, shared digital infrastructure and unified negotiation on trade, minerals and climate finance.
On governance, President Mahama underscored the need for transparent and accountable leadership.
He urged that institutions mandated to fight corruption be allowed to operate independently and that abuse of public trust be punished.
He echoed the view that Africa needed strong institutions rather than strongmen.
He acknowledged democratic challenges in parts of West Africa but maintained that Ghana was determined to show that democracy could deliver prosperity under constitutional rule.
President Mahama commended Zambia for stabilising its economy, noting improvements in the Kwacha and ongoing reforms that were sending positive signals to investors.
He expressed Ghana’s readiness to deepen trade, investment and financial cooperation with Zambia.
He also expressed confidence in Zambia’s democratic institutions ahead of its general elections and announced that the two countries had signed ten Memorandums of Understanding to strengthen cooperation.
Among them was an agreement allowing visa free travel for all categories of passport holders between Ghana and Zambia.
The President reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to peace and security cooperation with Zambia and highlighted Africa’s push for reparative justice.
He revealed that Ghana would sponsor a United Nations resolution to declare slavery the greatest crime against humanity and expressed hope that Zambia would support the initiative.
In his role as African Union Champion for Gender and Development, President Mahama outlined steps taken by Ghana to promote gender equity, including electing its first female Vice President, implementing a law to ensure at least 30 percent female representation in public appointments and plans to establish a women’s development bank.
He stressed the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area in boosting intra African trade and industrialisation, and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working closely with Zambia based on mutual respect and shared destiny.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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