UN 80TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY: PREZ MAHAMA CALLS FOR GLOBALLY RECOGNITION OF AFRICANS IN ECONOMIC REFORMS

The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama in his address to the world at the 80^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 25^th September, 2025, pressed for acknowledgment and identification of Africa in economic policy changes. The President on behalf of Ghana and Africa at large, pinpointed roles and performances Africans had played over the years in shaping, upholding and maintaining the UN activities and other ecological stability; yet, Africa had not fully been recognized with the needed support at the global stage.

According to President John Mahama, the future of the world vastly lies in the hands of Africa; because, Africa is a catalyst for human potential development and a system changer in the world at large. Meanwhile, the UNGA organization, which is usually the only space for nations to come together and air their grievances, to some extent, is limiting accessibility of Africa’s contributions and participation of nationally and globally interest of all. This is because, the UN for instance over the years, have granted VETO POWER to only five nations (USA, China, France, Russia and United Kingdom), depicting some form of unfairness, partiality and prejudice against Africans; and this needs to be modified and modernized said, John Dramani Mahama.

In his speech, he recollected the fact that, his return back to resume office as a President again in Ghana, after this last eight (8) years, seemed so novel and fresh in his sight. That is, he had realized, the past 8years have brought so much changes in the affairs of the world including the emergence of social media, Artificial Intelligence, fast pace of internet and many others he could think of. As a result, he told the Assembly to discern on how the world is rapidly developing and transforming, yet, the UN Charter for over 80years now, is still in the outdated mode without any amendments to meet current trends or make room for mechanisms to allow African countries to also challenge the VETO. “This is the time UN must reform and reset the charter including its security and financial Architecture, for Africa to also have greater influence in the world’s multilateral financial institutions”, he said.

The Rise In Nationalism And Economic Instability

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama also lamented on the breakdown of multilateralism aggression against the sovereignty of other countries as well as, the attempt of other nations also circumventing state guards whom have been put in place, to prevent large scale global conflicts in case of emergencies, to come support them. He termed such attitudes of those nations, as narcissism and opportunism in using ‘VETO POWER’ to only serve their interest and advantages. Again, the incident where President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinians delegation were denied VISAS are all forms of acts leaving a bad precedent in those respective countries.  Considering the fact that, these respective countries who have the authority to bring improvement are not using their abilities and acquisitions or even resources to assist the affected people, but rather, classifying them as invaders or criminals.

From the President point of view, the continuous conflicts in these respective countries - Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Sudan, Russia etcetera, are the reasons refugees and immigrants are moving into safer places in other countries, and not because they are invaders or criminals. The economic instability occurrence in their countries like loss of lives, loss of shelter, loss of food and many others, is the reason these immigrants or refugees are found mostly in African countries. So the tag from the developed countries classifying most of these immigrants or refugees as criminals or invaders must stop. Whereas, solutions should be what nations must resort into helping them out of the situation; including UN organization also interceding to help restore peace and stability in the affected countries. He mentioned that, in Sudan for instance, their conflicts crisis resulted in over 12million people fleeing from their homes to seek for better or more promising locations to live their lives. Therefore, as a global community, nations must equitably be ready to provide assistance to all members involved, like the way some member countries provided assistance to Ukraine refugees without hesitance. Ghana for instance in 1988 realizing the condition of Palestinians, also provided them two state solutions to their conflicts, and this brought some form of relief in Palestine, he said.

Furthermore, President Mahama state that, most of these immigrants whom other nations usually refuse to assist, are climate refugees. That is, they are from the Global South and not from the Global North. Even though, the Global North emits 75% of greenhouse gases, the effects of climate change are more severe in Global South due to lack of resources in addressing them. Which is why, he emphasized that nations should tackle and end the rate of conflicts occurrences in their respective countries.

Additionally, President Mahama cited the likes of some individuals who are from immigrant parents, including Maame Awusi Mensah, who served as a Judge in the US District Court in the Central District Court of California; and was also the first black female judge to serve in that court. Again, Peter Bosman who was a Medical Doctor and later became the first black male to serve as Mayor in the whole of Eastern Europe; as well as, famous T-Michael (the Ghanaian-born designer, Artist and Bespoke Tailor), who was also known for creating distinctive style for cultural aesthetics. Last but not least, Kofi Annan who also served as UN Secretary General. Thus, President Mahama ask, why then is Africa not fully been recognized but attached with racism and seen as ‘unintelligent’ to wield authority to steer the affairs of the world? Since, it is evident that, these people genuinely loved the western world and wholeheartedly served them.

Concurrently, John Mahama mentioned that, it is high time nations stopped normalizing cruelty, hatred, xenophobia, racism and perceive slave trade on Africans particularly, as a greatest crime against humanity. This is because, these acts only brought harm and pains in the heart of people, especially, Africans. He then added that, nations must recognize the value of lives of Africans and value their lands than, continually seeing them as a tool for enslavement or a medium to have possession of their lands in exploitation of natural resources. Africa is tired of the continued image ridiculed, diseases ridden in rural communities, whilst foreigners dictate or control its natural resource in concession areas, he fumed.

Finally, President John Dramani Mahama requested the recognition of women and girl-child having a place of safety and equality to be empowered to achieve their full potentials. He then also congratulated Annalena Baerbock, for her distinction of being the fifth President to preside the UN 80^th General Assembly, and acknowledged the Vice President of Ghana - Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, for also being the first female Vice President of the Republic of Ghana; and further informed that, these attitudes from these women is serving and giving the girl-child motivation and potentials of height to which they can also ascend in their careers. “I look forward of a Ghanaian woman holding the position of United Nation Secretary General in the near future, he concluded”.