Africa must pursue partnerships based on its interests – Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa called on Ghana and other African nations to avoid becoming entangled in global rivalries and instead seek partnerships that serve their own interests. At a diplomatic side event in New York, he highlighted that Africa's growing significance in the global supply of critical minerals positioned the continent to negotiate advantageous agreements with major powers.

"We don't have to choose," he declared, emphasizing that they would "play smart." Drawing on Ghana's role as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Ablakwa reminded the audience of Kwame Nkrumah's advice to look "neither east nor west" but rather "forward." He stressed that Africa must have a central role in discussions about emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, all of which rely heavily on critical minerals.

"For us in Africa, because of all of this new AI dispensation and the critical minerals required to drive that, you can't have this discussion without Africa," he asserted. Ghana would evaluate potential agreements based on the country's interests and values, the trust level between partners, and the offered terms, stating, "We will look at who offers the best deal for the people we serve."

The minister encouraged African countries to leverage competition among potential partners to secure agreements with better terms, emphasizing, "We come to the table as equal partners. If you don't like our terms, there's competition. There is another partner who will at least be more respectful and will be willing to negotiate and bargain properly with us."

Ablakwa also renewed Ghana's demand for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, particularly the inclusion of Africa as a permanent member, arguing that the current structure no longer reflects global realities. He noted that most African countries were still colonies when the UN was established in 1945 and that the structure had remained unchanged for over 80 years.

The minister also cited the African Union's admission to the G20 during India's presidency as an example of how global institutions could be restructured to reflect changing realities. He advocated for the abolition of the Security Council's veto power, arguing that it had impeded the UN's ability to respond effectively to conflicts.