Ghanaian President Calls for New Development Model Focused on Domestic Resources and National Ownership

President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghana to fundamentally rethink its development partnerships, advocating for a transition from reliance on external aid to a model centered on domestic resource mobilization and national ownership. He outlined a new development compact framework, emphasizing four core principles: bolstering domestic resource mobilization, strengthening state institutions as pillars of democracy, enhancing accountability for development results, and fostering robust societal partnerships with local control over development processes.

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what can we do for ourselves?

Speaking at the Ghana Civil Society Forum 2026, themed "Reimagining Partnerships for Democratic Consolidation and Inclusive Development," President Mahama stated that the evolving global development finance landscape necessitates Ghana asking a new question: "what can we do for ourselves?" He asserted that Ghana's future development must increasingly be financed by "Ghanaian ingenuity, Ghanaian enterprise, Ghanaian innovation and Ghanaian institutions." While acknowledging the continued value of development partners, Mahama noted that the era of primary dependence on traditional aid is waning due to declining donor resources, shifting priorities, and geopolitical shifts impacting global cooperation.

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The future of Ghana's development must increasingly be financed by Ghanaian ingenuity, Ghanaian enterprise, Ghanaian innovation and Ghanaian institutions.

"For too long, Africa's development conversation has often been framed around what our external partners can do for us. The changing global environment challenges us to ask a completely different question: what can we do for ourselves?" President Mahama remarked. He clarified that this stance does not diminish the importance of development partners or promote isolationism but rather reflects a commitment to building a more resilient development model grounded in domestic capacity and national self-reliance.

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For too long, Africa's development conversation has often been framed around what our external partners can do for us. The changing global environment challenges us to ask a completely different question: what can we do for ourselves?

In addition to his call for a new development paradigm, President Mahama shared significant updates on Ghana's constitutional review process. He highlighted key proposals currently before the Cabinet, including amendments to Article 71 to establish an independent emoluments commission, changes to the parliamentary appointment of ministers, extending presidential, parliamentary, and assembly terms from four to five years, and instituting fixed terms for the Chief Justice and Electoral Commissioner. The President also mentioned the proposal for the election of District Chief Executives, stating, "These proposals are quite interesting and will deepen our democratic consolidation."

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These proposals are quite interesting and will deepen our democratic consolidation.