President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger domestic capacity, effective institutions and sustainable financing as countries in the Global South navigate growing debt pressures and disruptions in the international development landscape.

Speaking at a Presidential Roundtable organised by the Open Society Foundation in New York on Monday, September 21, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, President Mahama said countries must strengthen their ability to drive development despite changes in the global environment. 

“When I speak about sovereignty in this context, I am speaking about the capacity to act,” President Mahama said.

He said the priority should be to create jobs, improve public services, build infrastructure and expand opportunities, particularly for young people.

“In all the disruption and chaos are born new ideas and partnerships,” he said.

“This is when we must create jobs for our people, improve public services, build infrastructure, and expand opportunity, especially for our young people.”

President Mahama also called for stronger coordination across government, greater domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management and institutions capable of delivering measurable results.

“We need stronger coordination across government, better preparation of programs and projects, greater domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management, and institutions that can demonstrate clear results,” he said. 

He further urged governments to make better use of expertise outside the public sector, including civil society, businesses, academia and local communities.

“We must also leverage capabilities outside government, including civil society, business, academia, and local communities. We must carry our share of the responsibility if we want greater room to lead,” he said.

Turning to international partners and philanthropic organisations, President Mahama called for a shift from short-term programmes towards long-term investments in national and institutional capacity.

He questioned whether international cooperation could do more to strengthen national systems while maintaining accountability.

“Can international cooperation do more to build national capability and work through local systems when they meet required standards? Can we reduce unnecessary duplication while protecting accountability?” he asked.

The President also called on foundations to support institutional capacity and public goods in areas where commercial financing may not be sufficient.

“Foundations have room to operate differently because they can support institutional capability, early programme development, public goods and social priorities,” he said.

He stressed that successful initiatives should ultimately be integrated into public systems and supported through sustainable financing.

“Where an approach proves successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions, and long-term financing models.”

The roundtable brought together presidents and chief executives of major global foundations to discuss sustainable development, financing and strengthening institutions across the Global South.