Addis Ababa, October 23, 2026 (FMC) — Africa’s historic struggle against colonial domination must be followed by a new era of economic transformation and prosperity for its people, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said, outlining the responsibility facing the continent’s current generation of leaders.
Addressing the inauguration of Ethiopia’s Megech Irrigation Dam in Gondar, Mahama said Africa’s earlier leaders had fought to overthrow colonialism and liberate the continent, leaving today’s leaders with the task of translating that hard-won freedom into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“Our early leaders fought against colonial domination and we fought to overthrow colonialism and liberate the continent,” he said. “It behooves on us, the leaders of today, to bring economic transformation and prosperity to our people.”
Mahama cited Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s development efforts as an example of the leadership he believes Africa needs, describing the Ethiopian leader’s work as transformational.
The Ghanaian President said his visits to Ethiopia since Abiy became Prime Minister had revealed a country changing from year to year, expressing appreciation for the development progress he had witnessed.
“These are the transformational leaders we need in Africa,” Mahama said.
His remarks placed the inauguration of the Megech Dam within a broader continental context, connecting the achievements of Africa’s liberation generation with the economic responsibilities of its current leaders. For Mahama, the measure of leadership today lies in advancing the transformation and prosperity that African people expect.
The President also reflected on the shared historical significance of Ethiopia and Ghana in the continent’s resistance to colonial domination. He described Ethiopia as one of the symbols of African resistance, noting that it was among the few African countries not conquered under colonial rule, while Ghana made history as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to break free from colonial domination.
Mahama said these histories carried meaning for contemporary Africa, whose leaders must now focus on developm