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| His Excellency John Dramani Mahama |
In a moment of significant international recognition for Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama has been ranked fifth on the 2026 Devex Power 50 list, placing him among the most influential leaders shaping the future of global development. This ranking — from Devex, a respected global development media platform — highlights leaders whose ideas and decisions are reshaping how development money is raised, spent, and strategically deployed in a rapidly changing world.
What the Devex Power 50 List Means
The Devex Power 50 list is more than just a ranking. It’s a snapshot of influence at a time when the old structures of international aid are shifting. Traditional sources of foreign assistance from major donors like the United States have decreased, prompting new actors — from private investors to regional development banks — to play larger roles. The list identifies 50 people whose vision, leadership, and policy influence are changing how development is financed and delivered worldwide.
Being placed fifth on this list means someone isn’t just spending money — they are shaping the narrative and strategy of global development. It reflects power that comes from ideas, networks, and the ability to build consensus.
Why Mahama Made the List
Devex singled out President Mahama’s leadership of the Accra Reset initiative as a core reason for his high ranking. The Accra Reset is a bold policy framework aimed at rethinking how development partnerships work between African nations and traditional donor countries. The strategy emphasises sovereignty, national ownership, and sustainable financing rather than dependency on external aid. That message has resonated with many African nations facing rising debt, shrinking aid flows, and intense pressure to find new growth pathways.
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Rather than simply adapting to the realities of declining aid, Mahama has argued that Africa must renegotiate its place in the global economic order. His approach pushes for reforms in areas such as debt relief, fairer trade rules, climate finance that reflects African priorities, and increased domestic resource mobilisation.
Accra as a Hub of Global Ideas
Devex notes that influence today comes not just from wealth but from the ability to drive policy, shape conversations, and make alliances that endure. President Mahama’s 5th-place ranking signals that Ghana’s capital, Accra, is becoming a hub for global dialogue on development innovation.
Last year, Mahama convened African leaders, policymakers, and global health experts in Accra to launch a new vision for health sovereignty and national leadership in development finance. This initiative, later elevated at the United Nations General Assembly, became part of the Accra Reset.
Beyond Aid: A New Development Paradigm
Devex’s ranking reflects a broader shift in the development world. As traditional aid budgets shrink, new actors and new models — from regional trade frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to private capital, development finance institutions, and technology-driven solutions — are rising in importance. Leaders who can bridge these worlds are gaining influence.
That’s where Mahama’s influence stands out. His voice is not just about local or national policy but about shaping how global partners think about cooperation, financing, and shared leadership.
For Ghana, this ranking isn’t just symbolic. It places the country — and its leadership — in global policy circles where decisions about financing, trade, technology, and climate actions are increasingly made. It sends a message that Ghana is not just a recipient of ideas but a generator of solutions for the future of development.
For many young Ghanaians, business leaders, and policymakers, having the President recognised in this way may fuel confidence that homegrown ideas can stand on the world stage and influence major global agendas.
A Broader Shift in Global Power Dynamics
Devex’s Power 50 list also includes leaders from philanthropy, multilateral institutions, global health, and technology — illustrating that influence today is distributed across sectors, not concentrated only in governments or traditional aid bodies. The inclusion of figures driving private investment, digital innovation, and new financial instruments underscores how diverse voices are shaping development outcomes.
Mahama’s presence among this cohort signals a broader shift: power in global development increasingly belongs to those who can combine vision with practical solutions for complex global challenges.
