The world is witnessing a period of profound geopolitical turbulence, one that has left analysts, diplomats, and ordinary citizens alike questioning the very foundations of global governance. Since the advent of Donald J. Trump’s second term, the United States, long regarded as the guarantor of multilateralism has charted a course that increasingly favours unilateralism. Multilateral institutions, cornerstones of U.S. foreign policy since the end of World War Two appear weakened as the world recalibrates its expectations of Washington.
Trump’s foreign policy posture has shaken established global trading norms. The imposition of tariffs on longstanding trade partners triggered volatile currency swings and jolted stock markets worldwide. Countries compelled to renegotiate deals with Washington find themselves navigating uncertainty, unsure whether longstanding agreements will hold.
The recent announcement of a potential U.S. acquisition of Greenland has further strained transatlantic relations, while Europe’s response of widening defence budgets and stockpiling arsenals underscores the fragility of alliances in a world where permanent friends are increasingly elusive.
Even international institutions are not immune. The launch of Washington’s Board of Peace, perceived by many as marginalising the United Nations, poses troubling questions about the future of collective diplomacy.
In this unfolding landscape, The Chronicle recognises the emergence of a new world order – nations are actively realigning trade partnerships, evidenced by agreements such as the recent Ottawa-Beijing trade pact. The era of unquestioned U.S. hegemony is giving way to a multipolar reality.
Amid this global upheaval, Ghana, the first country to break colonial rule in Sub-Saharan Africa must ask itself a critical question: what is the nation’s stake in this changing order? President John Dramani Mahama, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, launched the next phase of the Accra Reset, a transformative framework designed to dismantle the decades-old narrative of aid dependency in the Global South. Standing before global leaders, he declared that African nations must no longer be passive recipients of international aid.
The Chronicle supports the vision articulated by President Mahama. Yet we caution that for Ghana to meaningfully benefit from shifts in the international order, domestic systemic challenges must be addressed. Ghana remains far from self-reliant.
The nation is unprepared for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), a technological era defined by artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, and genetic engineering. Without the capacity to harness these innovations, Ghana risks being a spectator while the rest of the world advances.
Equally concerning is Ghana’s economic fragility. Despite its classification as a middle-income country, Ghana has repeatedly sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund seventeen times in recent years, exposing vulnerabilities in planning and economic stability.
Price volatility, failed decentralization, and urban migration have compounded socio-economic pressures, leaving cities ill-equipped to meet the needs of growing populations. Recent transportation crises, for instance, have forced the state to solicit support from Spain, indicating an overreliance on external solutions.
Basic amenities such as potable water remain inaccessible to millions, forcing many to rely on streams and other untreated sources, raising questions about the implementation of rights enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
Political stability under the Fourth Republic has not translated into economic prosperity for the majority. Instead, political office has often become a shortcut to wealth, while legislative and judicial oversight appears compromised by party loyalty.
The Chronicle asserts that 68 years after independence, Ghana continues to suffer from governance rooted in unscientific manifestoes, generating policies that fail to serve citizens. While we support President Mahama’s call for Africa to claim agency in global affairs, we insist that national development cannot wait for foreign assistance. Ghanaian citizens must be intentional, proactive, and accountable in driving their own development. The international stage may be shifting, but the battle for progress begins at home.
In conclusion, the collapse of multilateralism presents both challenges and opportunities. Ghana has the potential to redefine its role in global affairs, but only if systemic domestic issues from economic fragility to technological under-preparedness are urgently addressed.
The Chronicle will continue to monitor these developments, urging leaders and citizens alike to act decisively to secure Ghana’s future in a world where the once-unquestioned policeman now stands alone.
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The post Editorial: Global Chaos, Domestic Crisis: Ghana Cannot Wait appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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