By Zobia Zulfqar 
National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has called for greater economic sovereignty across Africa, arguing that true political independence cannot be achieved without economic liberation.
Speaking after attending the third Standing Committee Meeting of the “For the Freedom of Nations!” movement hosted by the United Russia Party, Asiedu Nketiah said African countries must move beyond their traditional role as exporters of raw materials and instead become equal partners in industrial development, technology, manufacturing, and value addition.
In a social media post shared on Friday, June 26, Asiedu Nketiah stressed that political freedom alone is not enough if African economies remain dependent on foreign controlled financial systems and trade arrangements.
“Our engagements throughout the summit blended strategic diplomacy with a profound policy message: true Pan Africanism cannot exist without economic liberation,” he wrote.
He noted that the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, remains relevant today, warning that neo colonial structures continue to limit Africa’s economic progress despite decades of political independence.
According to Asiedu Nketiah, Africa should no longer rely primarily on exporting raw materials while importing finished products at higher costs. Instead, he urged governments to invest in industrialisation, technology, manufacturing, and value creation to create jobs, strengthen local economies, and improve long term economic resilience.
He argued that genuine independence would only be achieved when African resources, financial systems, and trade policies are shaped by Africans rather than external institutions.
Asiedu Nketiah also renewed calls for reparatory justice, describing it as a matter of accountability rather than blame. He explained that demands for reparations are not intended to assign guilt to present generations but to acknowledge the lasting economic and social effects of historical injustices, including slavery and colonial exploitation.
“My personal conviction is clear: our fight for reparatory justice is not rooted in sentiment, nor is it about assigning guilt to present generations for the actions of the past,” he stated.
He maintained that reparatory justice should form part of a broader conversation about building a fairer global economic system that allows African countries to achieve sustainable development.
The NDC Chairman further called for stronger cooperation among African countries in trade, investment, technology, and industrial development. He said deeper regional collaboration would strengthen Africa’s bargaining power and help reduce dependence on external markets and financial institutions.
His remarks come at a time when many African governments are advocating reforms to the global financial system, greater local value addition, and stronger implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to drive economic growth across the continent.
Asiedu Nketiah concluded that Africa’s future depends not only on political unity but also on achieving economic independence that allows the continent to fully benefit from its natural resources, growing markets, and human capital.