President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for Africa’s economic independence, transparent leadership, and deeper Pan-African cooperation.

Speaking at Kenya’s 62nd Janhuri (Republic) Day in Nairobi on Friday, President Mahama said the sacrifices of those who fought for Africa’s independence must never be taken for granted.

For him, the present generation of African leaders carry the responsibility of achieving economic freedom and prosperity for their people.

“Our forebears won us political independence. It is the responsibility of our current generation of African leadership to win economic independence and prosperity for our people,” President Mahama, who was the Special Guest, said.

“The time has come for us to add value to Africa’s exports. The time has come for us to claim a fairer share of our natural resource endowments.

“The time has come for us to provide transparent and accountable leadership, and to unleash the creativity and energies of our young people,” President Mahama said.

President Mahama urged African countries to deepen intra-African trade and fully commit to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for a comprehensive regional integration.

“We must increase trade amongst ourselves until we fulfill the protocol on the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he emphasised.

On Ghana-Kenya friendship, President Mahama paid tribute to the founding fathers of both countries, Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta; a friendship he said has become an enduring flame that has continued to bind the two countries together.

He commended Kenya’s role in global Pan-African solidarity, particularly its intervention in Haiti, describing it as a gesture that reflects Africa’s responsibility to its diaspora.

President Mahama used the occasion to commiserate with the Kenyan people on the passing of its former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, earlier this year, extending sympathies on behalf of all Ghanaians.