President Mahama, Global Leaders Launch Accra Reset at UNGA

New york: At a high-level side event during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), President John Dramani Mahama, the African Union Champion for African Financial Institutions, led heads of state, multilateral leaders, and private sector partners in launching the Accra Reset. The Accra Reset is a framework aimed at re-engineering global development institutions, financing, and partnerships as the Sustainable Development Goals era nears its close.According to Ghana News Agency, a statement from Ghana's Presidency in Accra highlighted that President Mahama, in his opening address, emphasized the fragility of the current development architecture. He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had reversed two decades of progress in less than two years, and extreme climate shocks now threaten nearly 735 million people with hunger. Additionally, many developing countries are spending more on debt servicing than on health and education.With fewer than half of the 169 SDG targets on track, Mahama argued that the traditional approach to development must end. "The world is only five years from 2030," President Mahama said. He further added that the focus should be on designing institutions and financing systems that function effectively, highlighting the importance of innovative financing instruments, new business models, and smarter coalitions that can amplify resources.The Accra Reset, co-convened by President Mahama and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to establish a new framework rooted in sovereignty, workability, and shared value. Health is identified as a primary focus area, transitioning from aid dependency to health sovereignty, building upon commitments from the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held in Accra in August 2025.A coalition dubbed the Club of Accra will begin work to pilot financing innovations and 'geostrategic dealrooms' aimed at investment in health, climate, food security, and job creation. The launch also introduced the Global Presidential Council, which aims to unite a coalition of Heads of State and Government from various regions to provide political leadership and accountability.Moreover, a Global College of Advisors will be formed, consisting of experts from health, finance, innovation, and business sectors, to design and oversee pilot projects and financing mechanisms.