SONA 2026: Mahama positions Ghana’s foreign policy as tool for development, stability
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to a purposeful and strategic foreign policy aimed at advancing national development, protecting sovereignty, and promoting the country’s values on the global stage.
Delivering the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament in Accra on Friday, February 27, the President noted that Ghana’s external relations are being carefully aligned with domestic development priorities in response to shifting global geopolitics, economic uncertainty, climate challenges and evolving security threats within the sub-region.
He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intensified efforts to ensure Ghana’s international engagements directly support the country’s economic growth and national interests.
"Mr Speaker, Ghana's foreign policy remains a central instrument for advancing our national development, for safeguarding our sovereignty, and projecting our values on the global stage."
"At a time when the global environment is characterized by profound geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, climate-related challenges, and evolving security concerns within our sub-region, government has taken deliberate steps to ensure that Ghana's engagement with the world is purposeful, strategic, and responsive to the needs of our people," he said.
Commitment to West African Stability
He said within West Africa, Ghana continues to pursue a policy of good neighbourliness, solidarity, and constructive cooperation.
President Mahama emphasised the nation’s dedication to a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and integrated sub-region built on mutual respect and dialogue.
He stressed the importance of sustained engagement following the withdrawal of some countries from the Economic Community of West African States, warning that disengagement could deepen collective vulnerabilities and undermine regional stability.
"Mr Speaker, in West Africa, Ghana continues to pursue a policy of good neighborliness, solidarity, and constructive cooperation with all countries in the sub-region. We remain firmly committed to the vision of a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and integrated West Africa, grounded in mutual respect, dialogue, and collective responsibility"
"Particularly following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Ghana believes that continued dialogue and cooperation are indispensable to regional stability and that this engagement only deepens our collective vulnerabilities," he stressed.
Active Role in African Union
He said at the continental level, Ghana remains an influential and forward-looking actor within the African Union.
The President also highlighted Ghana’s leadership roles as the AU Champion for African Financial Institutions and AU Champion for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
He said these positions reflect Ghana’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s financial architecture and advancing inclusive development across the continent.
President Mahama further reiterated that Ghana’s foreign policy will remain responsive, strategic, and development-focused, ensuring that international partnerships translate into tangible benefits for the Ghanaian people.
