President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger domestic capacity, effective institutions and sustainable financing as countries in the Global South continue to face growing debt pressures and disruptions in the international development landscape.
Speaking at a Presidential Roundtable organized by the Open Society Foundation in New York on Monday, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, President Mahama said the priority for developing nations must be to create jobs, improve public services, build infrastructure and expand opportunities, particularly for young people.
“When I speak about sovereignty in this context, I am speaking about the capacity to act,” President Mahama stated.
He further stressed the need for stronger coordination across government, greater domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management and institutions capable of delivering measurable results.
“Where an approach proves successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions, and long-term financing models,” he added.
The high-level roundtable brought together presidents and chief executives of major global foundations to discuss sustainable development, financing and strengthening institutions across the Global South.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme