Mahama Calls for UN Reform, Declares “The Future is African” at 80th UNGA

Addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama delivered a forceful call for structural reforms within the UN and greater recognition of Africa’s role in shaping the future of the world.

Mahama reminded delegates that Africa had little say in the founding of both the League of Nations and the United Nations, yet now stands at the center of global demographic and economic shifts. “By 2050, more than 25% of the world’s population will come from Africa. The future is African,” he declared to resounding applause.

He pressed for permanent African representation on the Security Council with veto power, arguing that the current arrangement is outdated and unjust. He also demanded reforms to the global financial system, which he said is “rigged against Africa.”

Turning to global crises, Mahama condemned the denial of visas to the Palestinian delegation, voiced strong support for a two-state solution, and drew attention to the conflict in Sudan, describing it as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. He urged equitable treatment of refugees, criticizing what he described as double standards between migrants from the Global South and those from Ukraine.

Mahama also called for reparations for slavery and colonization, the return of stolen African artefacts, and a fairer share of natural resource benefits for African nations. “We are tired of people extracting the most they can from us and offering the least in return,” he said.

Domestically, the Ghanaian leader highlighted his government’s “Resetting Ghana” agenda, which has seen inflation cut by half within eight months and the cedi recognized by Bloomberg as the world’s best-performing currency at one point in 2025.

Concluding his address, Mahama congratulated Ghana’s first female Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and called for a woman to be appointed as the UN’s future Secretary-General.

“This organisation must reset itself to reflect today’s realities,” Mahama said. “The survival of the UN is vital, because it remains the town square of our global village.”

Here is the full statement.