By Sharon Zoe Williams
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has told the United Nations that Africa must have a permanent voice at the Security Council and called for reforms to global governance and financial systems to ensure the continent is fairly represented. He highlighted Africa’s growing influence in global affairs and stressed the need for a more inclusive governance structure, while pointing to the continent’s historical marginalisation, noting that only four African countries were among the UN’s founding members.
Speaking at the 80th UN General Assembly, Mr Mahama renewed his call for Africa to be granted a permanent seat on the Security Council with veto powers, describing the continent’s previous exclusion from global decision-making as “unjust”. He also called for a reset of the global financial architecture, which he described as “rigged against Africa”, to allow fairer representation and greater opportunities for African nations in multilateral institutions.
The President expressed solidarity with Cuba, calling for the removal of the blockade and acknowledging its historical support for Africa during the fight against apartheid. He reaffirmed Ghana’s recognition of the state of Palestine and supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Throughout his address, Mr Mahama emphasised Africa’s growing role in shaping the future of global affairs, describing the continent as a “catalyst for human potential and development” and a driver of systemic change. He urged the UN to adopt a “Reset Agenda” to reflect today’s changing global landscape and ensure more inclusive decision-making processes.
