Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized Western nations for prioritizing wartime spending over development. He noted the $380 billion spent on the Ukraine war could address Africa’s infrastructure needs. Ablakwa urged for stronger African leadership to counter external threats exploiting divisions in the continent.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized Western nations for redirecting funds intended for development to support wars, notably the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, he noted that $380 billion has been spent on this war over the past three years, money that could fundamentally address Africa’s infrastructure needs.
Ablakwa expressed his concern that the G20’s original goals of fostering industrialization and expanding trade are being overshadowed by military expenditures. He stated that a significant shift of resources away from international development towards the Ukraine crisis has led to a trust breakdown between African nations and the West, including Europe and the UN.
Highlighting the vacuum in global leadership, he called for African nations to take a more prominent role, emphasizing the concept of non-alignment, which has been advocated by countries like South Africa and India since the Cold War. He conveyed a message of unity, stating that no one wins in war and that collaboration is essential.
Ablakwa warned of external threats to Africa, stating that certain actors are taking advantage of the continent’s divisions and employing divide and rule tactics. He noted that African resources – such as uranium, gold, diamonds, and bauxite – are often the focus of these exploitative strategies.
He further commented on the historical context, identifying these external forces, rooted in slavery and colonialism, as persistent threats. He condemned neo-colonial elements as seeking to exploit Africa’s resources by fostering disunity among its nations.
In summary, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa highlights the misallocation of international resources away from development and towards warfare, stressing the need for greater African leadership and unity. He warns that Africa must guard against external threats that utilize divide and rule tactics to exploit its wealth, underscoring the need for a cohesive approach to safeguard the continent’s future.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
