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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
The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
