Africa must take greater control of trade, processing of natural resources – Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged African countries to strive to take full control of the trade and processing of their natural resources like cocoa and minerals.

This he said, will build their capacities in withstanding economic shocks when there are troubles in developed economies.

Mr Mahama said this while speaking at the 24^th African Business Conference organized by the Harvard Business School. 

”Africa must take greater control of the trade and processing of its natural resources like cocoa, and the minerals and build stronger capacity to respond to global energy shocks stemming out of situations such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”

“Many African countries, including Ghana have reached debt distressed levels with debt to GDP ratio ranging between 70% and 80%.”

”I am advocating for a reconstitution of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative to offer our countries some fiscal space to make investments in critical states such as education and health.”

He added “We must push for self-reliance for key strategic commodities and supplies such as rice, tomatoes, onions, and vegetable oil for which we have comparative advantage. It is such a shame that Africa continues to import these commodities when we have favourable conditions to produce them.”

By Laud Nartey|editors.3news.com|Ghana