The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, used his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, to challenge deeply rooted Western perceptions of Africa, insisting that the continent is not just part of the future but the very catalyst of global change.

Citing UN demographic projections while speaking before world leaders in New York, Mahama highlighted Africa’s growing significance on the world stage.

“According to this organisation’s own projections, by the year 2050, more than 25% of the world’s population is expected to come from the African continent. Additionally, by 2050, one-third of all young people, aged 15 to 24, will be residing on the African continent. So, you see, the future is African. Allow me to say this once again, a little louder for the people in the back. The future is African!” he said.

He warned, however, that skepticisms toward this reality often stem from long-standing prejudices rooted in Western history.

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“If this reality, which is fact-based and straightforward, seems provocative or unsettling, perhaps it’s because you’re viewing it through the lens of centuries of racism, colonialism, imperialism, and the resulting implicit bias,” Mahama told world leaders.

Framing Africa as more than a passive participant in global affairs, Mahama went further to argue that the continent is already proving its role as a transformative force in global affairs.

“Already today, Africa is a catalyst for human potential and development, as well as for economic reform and ecological stability. Africa is a catalyst for systemic change,” he added.

Mahama also pushed back against the recurring tendency of global powers to underestimate the continent’s resilience.

“Maybe you’re unaware of the resilience of African nations or their remarkable ability to make a strong comeback, just when you think it’s safe to discount them,” he stated.

FKA/AE

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