President John Dramani Mahama has called on world leaders to rethink global alliances, urging a shift away from outdated rivalries toward partnerships grounded in solidarity, shared responsibility, and collective progress.

Speaking at the 2026 World Governments Summit in Dubai, President Mahama said the international community is at a critical turning point and must reshape its cooperation frameworks to effectively confront emerging global challenges.

He identified climate change, insecurity, technological disruption, and widening inequality as pressing issues that transcend national borders and cannot be tackled by countries acting in isolation.

“These challenges demand collaboration, not competition,” he said, emphasising the need for stronger multilateral partnerships to drive sustainable development.

The President also underscored Africa’s growing strategic importance in the global landscape, describing the continent as a hub of opportunity and innovation.

He pointed to Africa’s youthful population, abundant natural resources, and a market of more than 1.3 billion people as key assets that position it as a major player in shaping the future global order.

According to him, Africa must move beyond dependency and be fully included in global decision-making processes through partnerships that promote transformation and mutual benefit.

Turning to Ghana’s development agenda, President Mahama outlined efforts to boost value addition and industrialisation, including the establishment of Goldbod and plans to process minerals and agricultural products locally to create jobs and retain more value within the economy.

He also welcomed growing cooperation between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates, as well as broader Africa–Gulf partnerships, describing them as strategic opportunities to accelerate trade, investment, and development.

The World Governments Summit brings together global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss solutions to shared challenges and chart pathways for future governance.