President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to move beyond political independence and prioritise deep economic reforms, arguing that freedom without real economic transformation offers little value to ordinary citizens. Speaking in Accra at the 2026 Africa Trade Summit, Mahama stressed that Africa’s development must be anchored in policies that directly improve the safety, welfare and livelihoods of its people. “It is obvious that political freedom without economic transformation is incomplete,” he said. The President made the remarks while welcoming his São Toméan counterpart, President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, who is in Ghana to participate in the continental trade summit. The 2026 Africa Trade Summit has brought together African leaders, policymakers, investors and development stakeholders to discuss strategies aimed at deepening trade, strengthening economic cooperation and promoting sustainable growth across the continent.