Former Ghanaian President John Mahama speaking at a lecture organized by the Department of State Service (DSS), for its Officers Course 10 participants, in Abuja themed “Challenges of Governance and Development in Africa”, said Africans must develop the Continent itself.
He stated that Africa was the most dynamic in terms of mobile telecommunications, mobile money amongst others.
Mahama noted the importance of power, saying development cannot take place where there is lack of power. He mentioned that the best way to guarantee development was through institutional values adding that Africa must take advantage of opportunities to control its population growth.
“A time will come when population will exceed the food production. We must seek more resources to build schools, hospitals to outpace the growing population”.
The former President said Nigeria should produce petroleum and export to other Countries in Africa, emphasizing that the earlier the African continent put its interest above external interest; the quicker our benefits as a continent.
He also stated that leaders should work for equity in spreading resources of Nations, so that no one would feel neglected or excluded from resources as those left in poverty, would be easy targets for recruitment into various forms of criminality.
The Ex-President explained that “It looks as if nobody loses an election in Africa. It is good that someone wins but there can be only one winner in every election contest. Somebody must be prepared to lose. Unfortunately, we have not learnt to lose. We want to win at all cost”.
Mahama mentioned that if Nigeria gets its economy right, and impacts it the economy of West African Trade, it will spur other 14 West African countries.
“I believe in West Africa, Nigeria has a central responsibility in the region. It cannot shelve that responsibility because it is not only the largest economy in West Africa; it is the second largest economy in Africa”.
The Ex-President added that Africans’ trade channels are mostly external, tilting towards Europe, as the total trade among African countries is about 11%, compared to other regions of the World.
“We need to take away those barriers, artificially placed by colonial masters. Even if we maintain those barriers created for political purposes, our Countries need to open up those borders for economic purposes”.
What President Muhammadu Buhari can learn from former President John Mahama’s Accomplishments
Power: During Mahama’s rule, the shortage of power hobbled the growth of the economy and affected both business and residential customers. Many businesses had to resort to the use of generators to survive. There was however the deployment of emergency plants and speedy completion of on-going plants which resulted in the addition of more than 800 megawatts (MW) of power over an 18-month period.
Water and Sanitation: There was an increased investment in the provision of clean drinking water as well as provision of boreholes, small town water systems and major urban water treatment projects, thus significantly increasing access to clean drinking water. Statistics at the end of 2015 showed that an excess of 76 per cent of both rural and urban residents have access to potable water.
Roads and Transport: Mahama set out a vision to finish road projects he inherited, such as the Achimota-Ofankor, Awoshie-Pokuase, Sofoline and Tetteh Quarshie-Adenta. He also commenced and completed the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, fast-tracked the construction and opening of the Kasoa overhead bridge, completed the Airport Hills/Burma Camp network of roads, as well as the 37-El Wak-Trade Fair road, amongst others.
Economy: When he left office, there was a drop in public debt management strategy from nearly 72% to below 65%. The currency also enjoyed relative stability.
