President John Dramani Mahama delivered a powerful message on Kenya’s 62nd Jamhuri Day, calling on Africa to start adding value to its raw materials, rather than merely exporting raw resources. He called for building value chains to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
Addressing the independence celebrations, President Mahama stressed harnessing Africa’s natural endowments and youthful workforce. “Of our natural resource endowment. The time has come to find a solution for our situation, the fertility and energies of our young people,” he declared. “We must increase trade amongst ourselves until we commend the protocol on the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
He championed Pan-African solidarity, thanking Kenya for its aid in Haiti. “I wish to express the sincerest appreciation of the people of Ghana to the people of Kenya for your timely intervention in Haiti to bring relief to the long-suffering people of Haiti,” Mahama said. Ghana, in turn, is deploying troops from its 48th Ingenious Regiment to support Jamaica’s rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa.
Mahama honored the enduring friendship between independence leaders Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah, calling it “an enduring flame that has continued to bind our two leaders an enduring generation of African leadership.” He offered condolences for the late Raila Odinga, “a great statesman,” and greeted Kenya’s First Lady while affirming Ghana’s solidarity.
“On this day, your 62nd Jamhuri Day, the people of Ghana are in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Kenya. We pay respect to the memory of our forebears who fought for our freedom and we do not take their sacrifice for granted,” he added.
His push for value addition from processing minerals to refining agricultural goods aligns with AfCFTA goals, aiming to boost intra-African trade and self-reliance.
