The continent seeks equal partnership, John Mahama has said, warning against predatory resource extraction<\/p>\n
Africa will not accept another era of colonial-style resource extraction as global demand for critical minerals grows, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has told the UN General Assembly (UNGA), calling for structural reforms to address historical injustices.
\nThe remarks come as the US and EU pursue deals with African governments to secure minerals such as copper, cobalt, and lithium for electric vehicles, batteries, and power grids, while seeking to reduce their reliance on China.
\nAfrican countries hold substantial deposits but often export raw minerals. A UN Trade and Development report published in June says many minerals agreements still focus heavily on extraction, warning that resource-rich African countries could miss out on the value generated by processing and manufacturing.
\n\u201cAfrica will not remain a passive arena for a new scramble for resources,\u201d Mahama said on Thursday. He said African countries must process their minerals at home, build local industries, and retain more of the wealth they generate.
\nSeveral African governments have moved to tighten control over their mineral resources in recent years. DR Congo, the world\u2019s largest cobalt producer, has banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrates to encourage local processing under an order reported in August. Zimbabwe also suspended exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates in February.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Southern African states push to keep mineral wealth at home<\/p>\n
Ghana has required licensed aggregators to refine gold locally since September 1, with Mahama pledging to end raw mineral ore exports by 2030. In July, the West African nation\u2019s neighbor Mali created a state body to oversee artisanal gold sales and curb smuggling, while Niger nationalized the Somair uranium venture operated by French state-owned Orano last year.
\nAside from critical minerals, Mahama also renewed the call for slavery reparations in his role as the African Union\u2019s champion for the campaign. In March, Ghana secured a UN resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade and chattel slavery as the gravest crimes against humanity. It passed with 123 votes. The US, Israel, and Argentina voted against it, while 52 countries abstained.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Africa has something China and the West need, but will it profit?<\/p>\n
Mahama welcomed what he called \u201cpositive overtures\u201d from countries, particularly the Netherlands, Germany, and France, as well as from institutions, on reparatory justice and restitution following the passage of the \u201chistoric resolution.\u201d
\nThe Ghanaian leader, however, said real repair requires \u201cstructural transformation,\u201d including \u201cdismantling the persistent engines of exploitation: unfair global trade regimes, predatory resource extraction, discriminatory credit ratings, [and] unsustainable debt burdens.\u201d
\n\u201cAfrica does not seek charity. Africa seeks equal partnership,\u201d Mahama declared.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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