Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has been ranked fifth on the prestigious Devex Power 50 list of the world’s most influential figures in development and social change, in recognition of his leadership and advocacy of the “Accra Reset” agenda.
Compiled by global development publication Devex, the annual Power 50 list highlights individuals reshaping the international development landscape amid what it describes as “tectonic shifts” in global aid, finance, and governance.
President Mahama’s placement among the top five underscores his emergence as one of the leading voices of a new generation of political leaders navigating the decline of traditional foreign aid and the growing influence of private-sector-led development models.
Central to his recognition is the Accra Reset, a bold framework aimed at redefining Africa’s engagement with the global North. As major donors such as the United States scale back foreign assistance, Mahama has positioned himself as a key proponent of a “post-aid” development paradigm for Africa.
The Accra Reset prioritises domestic resource mobilisation, regional trade integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the strategic use of technology to accelerate development and bypass long-standing structural barriers.
According to Devex, President Mahama has gone beyond the rhetoric of “Africa Beyond Aid” by championing practical, market-driven policies that attract development finance while safeguarding national sovereignty and policy independence.
His ranking reflects influence across multiple dimensions of global development, including policy innovation, economic reform, and international advocacy.
The Devex Power 50 also features a diverse group of changemakers shaping the future of development. These include philanthropic and finance leaders such as Alexander Berger of Open Philanthropy and Nidhi Sahni of the Bridgespan Group, who play key roles in directing private capital toward development outcomes.
Technology innovators such as Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton are recognised for deploying advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to transform healthcare delivery across Africa, while global health leaders like Muhammad Ali Pate are acknowledged for building resilient health systems capable of withstanding future pandemics.
The list further highlights the growing influence of behind-the-scenes actors who shape policies, people, and funding flows, including climate finance expert Avinash Persaud.
By ranking President Mahama among the top five, Devex signals a shift in global development leadership toward emerging economies. His stewardship of the Accra Reset reflects a broader transformation in how developing nations assert influence and demand a stronger voice in global decision-making processes.
