Respected international development publication Devex has named Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, as the 5th most powerful person in the world of development and changemaking, recognising his leadership at a time of profound transformation in global development financing and international cooperation.
President Mahama’s inclusion on the Devex Power 50 list places him among an elite group of global figures shaping the future of development during what Devex describes as a period of “tectonic shifts”. These changes are being driven by shrinking foreign aid, the rise of alternative financing models, evolving geopolitical realities, and the growing influence of technology and private capital.
The recognition comes just over a year after President Mahama assumed office in January 2025, returning to the presidency for a second, non-consecutive term. His ranking reflects decades of public service, including roles as Vice President, Member of Parliament, sector minister, and notably as the first co-chair of the United Nations Advocacy Group on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to Devex, President Mahama’s global standing is firmly anchored in his leadership of the Accra Reset—a bold and strategic framework aimed at redefining Africa’s relationship with the global North and repositioning the continent for a post-aid development future. As traditional donors, particularly the United States and other Western partners, scale back foreign aid commitments, Mahama has emerged as one of the most influential voices advocating for African self-determination in development financing.
The Accra Reset prioritises domestic resource mobilisation, regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the strategic use of technology to address long-standing structural challenges across the continent. Devex noted that President Mahama has moved beyond the rhetoric of “Africa Beyond Aid” by advancing practical, market-driven policies that attract development finance while safeguarding national sovereignty.
The publication also highlighted Mahama’s advocacy for reforms in debt relief, trade architecture, and climate finance, arguing that Africa must renegotiate its position in the global economic order rather than simply adjust to declining aid flows. In August last year, President Mahama convened African leaders, policymakers, and global health experts in Accra to launch a new vision for African health sovereignty, which later expanded into a broader development agenda at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Devex described the Accra Reset as a decisive departure from “development-as-usual”, positioning it as a global agenda with relevance beyond Africa. The initiative has also drawn strategic support from respected international figures, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who serves in an advisory capacity.
In the 2025 rankings, President Mahama placed behind Benjamin Black, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank; Anna Makanju, Vice President for Global Impact at OpenAI; and Alexander Berger, co-founder of Coefficient Giving.
Devex said its Power 50 list reflects the shifting balance of influence in global development, where development finance institutions, philanthropy, private capital, and artificial intelligence are playing increasingly central roles.
President Mahama’s top-five ranking not only underscores Ghana’s rising profile in global development debates but also positions the Accra Reset as one of the most influential ideas shaping international cooperation in the years ahead.
