Tana Forum: President Mahama Calls for African Sovereignty and Strategic Foresight

Former Ghanaian President John Mahama addressed the opening of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, currently underway in Bahir Dar. He described the forum as a vital space for African leaders to discuss peace and security issues away from rigid diplomatic formalities, likening it to a traditional village gathering. Mahama emphasized that sustainable peace in Africa is inextricably linked to economic sovereignty, urging the continent to reduce reliance on external aid, process raw materials locally, and operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He further called on Africa to take full ownership of its security through self-funding mechanisms and by asserting its influence in global governance reforms. The 12th Tana Forum is themed 'Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation.'