Former President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo on Thursday called for cooperation among African nations to tackle their challenges.
Akufo-Addo made this call at a book launch in Abuja in honour of a former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.
He said African nations should not rely on foreign aid for survival, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic made some nations to be independent.
“There is no such thing as charity in international relations. Nobody is going to give you vaccines until their own needs have been fully satisfied,” he said.
“African countries therefore need to cooperate with each other and not count on aid from the international community. That is why Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, and others have taken the responsibility of manufacturing their own vaccines.”
His remarks come amid rising concerns over Africa’s economic vulnerabilities, including inflation, debt burdens, and global supply chain disruptions. Most of these vulnerabilities occasioned in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic hardships of African countries has been underlying.
This, former ECOWAS Chair urged African nations to maximize intra-continental trade and investment, stressing that real progress lies in self-sufficiency and cooperation.
He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative initiative that could unlock the continent’s economic potential.
“If we are to move beyond our historical economic challenges, we must fully embrace the AfCFTA. Removing trade barriers and fostering economic integration will create the conditions necessary for sustainable growth,” he remarked.
Akufo-Addo also cautioned against the long-term consequences of relying on donor support, which often comes with strings attached.
“Foreign aid is not free—it comes with conditions that may not align with our long-term interests. We must prioritize investments in our people, industries, and agriculture to ensure true self-reliance,” he asserted.
