Mahama Pushes for Debt Relief, Infrastructure Funding in Talks with Macron
By: Nana Kwasi Roka
Paris, France –
President John Dramani Mahama has called on French President Emmanuel Macron to help champion a fairer global financial system that supports developing economies with lower interest rates and sustainable loan conditions.
The appeal was made during bilateral talks at the Élysée Palace in Paris on the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, where the two leaders discussed economic reforms, infrastructure development, and financial partnerships.
In his role as African Union Champion of African Financial Institutions, President Mahama urged France to use its influence within international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and French Development Bank (AFD), to support Ghana and other African countries in renegotiating high-interest loan agreements.
Mahama also highlighted Ghana’s improved debt-to-GDP ratio and renewed fiscal discipline, which he said positioned the country well for fresh credit opportunities. He further asked President Macron to facilitate parliamentary approval for a French concessionary loan dedicated to Ghana’s health sector.
“Our goal is to ensure that African nations can access affordable capital for infrastructure, health, and education. We must shift from aid dependency to fair financing,” Mahama emphasized.
President Macron welcomed Ghana’s reform efforts and pledged to advocate for equitable lending terms for African economies within global institutions.
The Paris Peace Forum has become a major platform for addressing structural inequalities between developed and developing nations, especially in post-COVID global financing and sustainable infrastructure development.
