Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has urged African leaders to convert the continent’s vast natural resources into real economic development rather
The report indicates that minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has urged African leaders to convert the continent’s vast natural resources into real economic development rather than allowing others to reap the greatest benefits.
It further notes that speaking during a high-level working lunch between the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Mr Annoh-Dompreh stated Africa’s enormous reserves of critical minerals, expanding trade opportunities and environmental assets must be transformed into industrial growth, jobs and prosperity.
The meeting brought together the PAP Bureau and chairpersons of permanent committees to examine South Africa’s G20 Presidency, Africa’s role within the G20, and the implications of the incoming United States Presidency for the continent, particularly on debt, trade, climate finance and BRICS.
While commending the policy briefing, Mr Annoh-Dompreh stated Africa had long articulated its position in the global order.
The greater challenge, he argued, was turning those aspirations into practical policies that improve the lives of ordinary Africans.
He pointed to Africa’s vast deposits of minerals needed for the global energy transition and stated the continent should be using them as leverage.
“Africa has some of the world’s largest deposits of these critical minerals. That should give us considerable leverage in the global energy transition.”
He questioned whether Africa had developed a coherent continental strategy to govern, extract and commercialise these resources, warning that without greater coordination, African countries would continue exporting raw minerals while other economies captured the greater value through refining, manufacturing and technology production.
Responding to the concerns, Southern Transitions representative Jordan McLean highlighted the African Green Minerals Strategy and the work of the African Minerals Development Centre as foundations for a coordinated continental approach.
She noted that Africa holds about 30 per cent of the world’s reserves of key minerals and should use that position to negotiate stronger partnerships, promote value addition and participate across the production chain.
“External partners are not approaching Africa’s minerals only through the prism of the energy transition. They are also seeking to secure access to those resources.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh also challenged what he described as inequities in global climate finance, questioning why promised financial support for developing countries had repeatedly failed to materialise.
“In the face of the vulnerabilities confronting our continent, how do we position ourselves when the polluter-pays principle is globally accepted, yet the promised support does not arrive?”
He observed that developed countries industrialised through carbon-intensive growth, while African countries are now expected to pursue cleaner development under stricter environmental rules.
