Mahama urges world leaders to expand economic opportunities for youth

President John Dramani Mahama has urged world leaders to expand economic, digital and structural opportunities for young people as the global development landscape undergoes major changes. He made the call at an Open Society Foundations presidential roundtable on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. President Mahama said the global order was facing severe disruption, with countries in the Global South also contending with mounting debt pressures. He said the challenges also presented opportunities for innovation, reform and new partnerships. “This is when we must create jobs for our people, improve public services, build infrastructure, and expand opportunity, especially for our young people.” “For countries such as Ghana, the question is how we strengthen our ability to pursue those priorities with greater confidence and continuity, whatever the changes taking place around us,” he said. He said Africa had already defined its long-term strategic pathway through Agenda 2063, which seeks to build productive economies, stronger institutions, deeper regional integration and expanded opportunities. President Mahama said African leaders must strengthen the institutions, financing capacity and delivery systems needed to achieve those ambitions. On the “Accra Reset” Initiative, President Mahama said it addresses the need for countries to act with greater urgency and self-reliance in a changing global environment. “The Accra Reset asks what countries need to act with urgency in a changing world, and what a more balanced relationship with international partners could look like,” “When I speak about sovereignty in this context, I speak about the capacity to act. A country needs to be able to set its priorities, negotiate effectively, mobilise resources, and follow through on its decisions,” he stated. Touching on Ghana’s internal challenges, President Mahama said the country still had significant work to do to exercise greater ownership of its development trajectory. “We need stronger coordination across government, better preparation of programs and projects, greater domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management, and institutions that can demonstrate clear results. “We must also leverage capabilities outside government, including civil society, business, academia, and local communities and carry our share of the responsibility if we want greater room to lead,” he said. On international partners and philanthropic organisations, President Mahama urged global institutions to shift from short-term programmes towards long-term capability building. “Can international cooperation do more to build national capability and work through local systems when they meet required standards? Can we reduce unnecessary duplication while protecting accountability?” he questioned. Underscoring the role of philanthropy in health, education, governance and research across Africa, President Mahama called on foundations to use their flexibility to support public goods and institutional capacity where commercial finance cannot. He said foundations could support institutional capability, early programme development, public goods and social priorities. He noted that where an approach proved successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions and long-term financing models. Source: Citi Newsroom (https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/mahama-urges-world-leaders-to-expand-economic-opportunities-for-youth/)