Ghana’s President John Mahama praised Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda and discussed debt, climate and trade concerns.
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Ghana’s President John Mahama praised Canada this week for what he described as advocacy against a “rigged global system” affecting African countries, as he met Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday.
“You are a fresh, new voice in terms of global advocacy,” Mahama told Carney, adding Africa is borrowing more expensively even though it “contributed the least to climate crisis — four per cent contribution to climate crises.” He said African countries also face major climate-related impacts on the ability to respond and borrow.
Mahama said he also appreciated Carney’s comments on trade and multilateralism, telling Carney that he is “quite vocal” about “the breakdown in multilateralism and the rise of unilateral actions,” and noting Canada has borne “the brunt of some of the strongest tariffs.”
Carney has previously called for reforms to how multilateral development banks extend financing, and used the G7 summit in Alberta last year to announce funding intended to bring in private capital for education and climate-adaptation goals.
The meeting also came as Canadian officials confirmed Ottawa will appoint a new Africa envoy after leaving the post vacant since June. Global Affairs said the appointment will be made, with the role tied to the Trudeau government’s Africa Strategy, which called for shifting policy toward greater economic engagement and trade with Africa.
In testimony last week to the Senate foreign affairs committee, Cheryl Urban, who leads the Africa branch of Global Affairs Canada, confirmed a continental envoy will be appointed, but said she was not sure when. She said the government is looking for someone with a background in business and trade.
Mahama said Canada should work to restore the reputation it built on the continent through the work of former aid agency CIDA and as a major lender, adding that “there are things we can do to build back up.”
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