Ghana’s aid dependency won’t end with mere rhetoric – John Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized that Ghana’s reliance on donor aid and external financial support cannot be overcome through rhetoric alone but requires decisive action.

Speaking at the 68th Independence Day celebration at the Jubilee House on March 6, 2025, President Mahama acknowledged the frequent discussions surrounding the country’s dependence on imports, donor aid, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts.

However, he warned that merely repeating these concerns without implementing concrete solutions risks making them a cliché, criticizing the contradiction of advocating for self-reliance while continuing to seek financial assistance.

“Discussions about our independence often highlight our reliance on imports, donor aid, and IMF bailout as signs of continued dependency. This reminder is repeated so often that, while undeniably real, it risks becoming a cliché.

“Yet the entire efficacy of this reminder lies not in just repeating it but in our willingness to take decisive action. Actions that will break the chain of dependency, not just the empty rhetoric of Africa that is beyond aid.

“Proclaiming self-reliance while marching straight but into the hands of the donor agencies, begging bowl in hand, is meaningless,” he stated.

To tackle this issue, Mahama assured Ghanaians that his administration is committed to restoring economic stability by implementing policies focused on fiscal discipline and self-sufficiency.

“To break this cycle of spenders and restore our economy, my administration is formulating policies based on fiscal discipline and living within our means,” he stated.