The Deputy Ahafo regional Imam for the Ahlussunna, Ishak Alhassan, has called African leaders to prioritise prudent management of internal resources rather than turning to foreign loans and external financial institutions for development aid.

He emphasised that the continent is richly endowed with natural and human resources that, if properly harnessed, can meet the developmental needs of its people without plunging nations into debt dependency.

In an interview with JoyNews at Hwediem in the Ahafo region on the state of affairs in Africa, he lamented a growing overreliance on international borrowing, which often comes with unfavorable conditions and long-term consequences.

The Imam warned that excessive foreign debt undermines national sovereignty and limits the policy space of African governments.

“Africa is not poor. Our problem is not a lack of resources, but a lack of responsible leadership,”

“If our leaders govern with sincerity and accountability, there would be no need to run cap-in-hand to foreign countries or institutions,” Ishak Alhassan indicated.

He challenged leaders to invest in local capacity-building, improve governance structures, tackle corruption, and engage communities in participatory development.

The Deputy Regional Imam urged the continent's leadership to focus on strengthening domestic revenue generation and promoting intra-African trade are viable paths to sustainable growth.

Ishak Alhassan also called on citizens to hold their governments accountable and to advocate for transparent budgeting and fair resource allocation.

He stressed that religious leaders and civil society groups have a critical role to play in sensitizing the public and promoting a culture of self-reliance.

His message comes at a time when many African countries are grappling with ballooning debt profiles, partly fueled by borrowing from international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.

Critics argue that this borrowing has often failed to translate into meaningful development for the masses.

Ishak Alhassan's call adds to a messages across the continent advocating for homegrown solutions and a shift away from economic models that prioritize external dependence.