International relations expert and former Director of the Legon Centre for International Affairs, Professor Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to lead a united African diplomatic front, warning that divisions among African nations could leave the continent vulnerable to renewed external influence.
According to Prof. Antwi-Danso, some Western powers—particularly the United States and the European Union—view President Mahama with suspicion, perceiving him as leaning towards Russia.
“He has been seen as more left-leaning, closer to the Russians. The EU and the Americans suspect that he may have had Russian support to come to power, so they are dealing with him cautiously,” he told Channel One TV.
The scholar emphasised that Africa should respond as a cohesive unit rather than fragmenting into alignments with global powers.
“What I want him to do is bring Africa together as one. Let’s confront these manoeuvres with a single, united stance. If countries like Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire are split into different camps—some with the Americans, others elsewhere—we risk being re-colonised. And that process is already happening,” Prof. Antwi-Danso warned.
He pointed to the conflict in Sudan as an example of external powers using the continent as a stage for proxy wars, stressing the need for African nations to stand together to protect their interests.
“The war in Sudan is an external conflict being fought on our soil. Africa must unite and be firm in defending its own interests,” he added.