Former President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the need for African leaders to seize the numerous opportunities available to make the continent self-reliant.
Speaking at the 2nd edition of the Afro-heritage Conference and Awards in Lagos, Nigeria, Mr Mahama urged African leaders to work towards ensuring that the continent becomes more self-reliant.
During a panel discussion, Mr Mahama stressed the importance of assessing the Gross National Product (GNP) as opposed to just the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in order to gauge the progress and well-being of the people. He highlighted the significance of indigenous and African-owned businesses in contributing to the overall economic development of the continent.
Moreover, Mr Mahama expressed concern over the tendency of some African governments to target businesses owned by their political opponents, which he believes hinders the growth of rich African businesses. He urged governments to support and nurture local businesses to thrive and not act in ways that destroy them.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) emphasized the need for African governments to invest in young people and encourage innovations that would benefit ordinary citizens. Mr Mahama called for a shift in mindset and a belief in the potential of African businesses to succeed in order to drive economic growth on the continent.
