President John Mahama has described Ghana and Zambia as natural partners, citing shared economic strengths and a long-standing relationship that offers strong prospects for deeper cooperation.

He said complementarities in mining, agriculture, energy and manufacturing present compelling opportunities for joint ventures, value-chain development and expanded bilateral trade between the two countries.

President Mahama, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Lordina Mahama, is on a three-day State Visit to Zambia at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema.

Addressing Members of the Zambian National Assembly, President Mahama said Africa must redesign outdated global governance systems, including by securing greater representation in institutions such as the United Nations Security Council.

“We are calling for a rejigging of the global financial system that keeps Africa in poverty and debt. While we must work collectively to achieve these objectives, much depends on how we act locally,” he said.

“Leadership is fundamental to achieving the Accra Reset’s goals.”

President Mahama noted that Ghana was taking deliberate steps to change its national narrative through decisive leadership and policy reforms.

“Since my return to office one year ago, my administration has been guided by a clear, pragmatic Reset Agenda focused on economic recovery, macroeconomic stability, job creation and inclusive growth,” he said.

He said the approach was anchored in fiscal discipline, productive investment, good governance and strengthened regional cooperation.

“We have chosen execution over excuses. We have reduced the size of government to 58 ministers and deputy ministers, including regional ministers,” he said.

President Mahama said his government was digitalising public services to fight corruption, investing in skills for the future – digital, green and industrial – and restructuring debt to prioritise investment in people rather than merely servicing loans.

“This is what ‘Resetting Ghana’ means, and it is delivering results,” he said.

President Mahama expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, noting that inflation had declined sharply from over 23.4 per cent at the end of 2024 to 3.8 per cent in January 2026.

He said currency stability had been restored, with the Ghanaian cedi appreciating by 32 per cent and ranking among the five best-performing currencies in 2025.

President Mahama said Ghana had successfully renegotiated its debt obligations on terms that safeguarded national sovereignty and ensured sustainability, and was steadily exiting the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility with dignity.

“We are exiting as partners, not as supplicants,” he said.

“These reforms are not merely national achievements; they contribute to regional confidence and integration. In this regard, Zambia is a natural partner,” President Mahama added.