President John Dramani Mahama has called on African countries to translate decades of political solidarity into tangible economic gains for their citizens, warning that the continent risks being trapped in what he described as a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential.”

Addressing the Zambian Parliament during his three-day state visit, President Mahama said that while Africa has largely secured political independence, the more urgent challenge today is achieving economic transformation and shared prosperity.

He stressed that the continent must move beyond symbolic unity and focus on building resilient economies that deliver jobs, value addition, and improved living standards for ordinary Africans.

Highlighting Ghana’s Accra Reset Initiative, President Mahama underscored the need for strong institutions, accountable leadership, and greater African control over natural resources.

He argued that Africa can no longer afford to rely on the export of raw materials without processing and value addition.

“The era of exporting raw materials without adding value must come to an end,” he said, urging African leaders to pursue policies that promote industrialisation and intra-African trade.

President Mahama also outlined Ghana’s recent economic recovery efforts, noting that inflation has declined significantly and currency stability has been restored.

He said Ghana is on course to exit its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme “with dignity,” engaging international partners as equals rather than dependants.

As part of the visit, President Mahama announced that Ghana and Zambia have signed ten Memorandums of Understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Among the agreements is a visa-free travel arrangement intended to deepen people-to-people ties and boost trade and investment between the two countries.

The President said the agreements reflect a shared commitment by both nations to convert long-standing diplomatic relations into practical economic opportunities for their citizens.