President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders to rethink the continent’s definition of wealth, declaring that Africa’s greatest asset is not its vast mineral deposits but its people.

Speaking at the anniversary ceremony of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, the President acknowledged the continent’s abundance of natural resources, including gold, oil and lithium. However, he stressed that true prosperity cannot be measured by what lies beneath the soil, but by the dignity, freedom and potential of its citizens.

“Our greatest resource is not beneath our soil, but within our people,” he stated, emphasizing that no amount of mineral wealth can make up for a society where human rights are suppressed and opportunities are denied.

President Mahama said Africa’s progress must be anchored on the protection of fundamental rights — the rights to life, liberty, dignity and self-determination. According to him, sustainable development will remain elusive if governance systems fail to empower citizens and uphold accountability.

He paid tribute to iconic African leaders including Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara and Nelson Mandela, describing them as enduring symbols of courage and sacrifice in the pursuit of justice. Their deaths, he noted, were not only personal tragedies but also a significant loss of potential for the continent.

Calling for a renewed vision for Africa’s future, President Mahama urged leaders to measure success not by the volume of resources extracted, but by the well-being, empowerment and freedoms enjoyed by their people.

He concluded that genuine transformation across the continent will only be achieved when governments place human rights, inclusive opportunities and accountable leadership at the centre of national development