At the 81st United Nations General Assembly, held in New York on September 24, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama once again addressed world leaders and the international community.

In his address, President Mahama touched on several issues affecting Ghana and other countries, particularly those with limited platforms to make their concerns heard.

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He spoke about the war in Gaza and criticised Western countries over their response to the conflict, among other issues.

Here are five highlights from President Mahama’s address:

1. Demand for permanent UN Security Council seat for Africa

This isn’t the first time President Mahama has called for a seat for Africa on the UN Security Council, as he did same in his previous address during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2025.

President Mahama’s argument is that Africa’s population and growing influence in global affairs could no longer be overlooked and has now become a home to about 1.5 billion people, representing more than 18 per cent of the world’s population, while also constituting the largest regional voting bloc in the UN General Assembly.

“Africa is home to 1.5 billion people, over 18 per cent of humanity, and constitutes the largest regional voting bloc in this General Assembly. Yet, Africa remains without a single permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. This is fundamentally unacceptable in the 21st century,” he said.

2. Condemnation of situation in Gaza

Once again, President Mahama did not shy away from speaking out about certain ills in other countries as he criticised the international community for failing to act decisively over the situation in Gaza.

He therefore called for an end to collective punishment, starvation and mass displacement.

3. Reparation calls and structural change over slavery

Following the recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity by the assembly, President Mahama continued to push for reparatory justice and restitution for the transatlantic slave trade in his address.

He argued that the effects of the slave trade can still be seen today through racism, economic inequality and a global financial system that he said puts Africa at a disadvantage.

4. Africa’s mineral resources

President Mahama touched on how the African continent are mostly exploited for their mineral resources.

In his address, he warned that Africa’s critical minerals must not become the basis for a new form of exploitation.

He called on African countries to process their minerals locally, build industries, create jobs, and retain more value from their natural resources.

President Mahama calls for permanent African seat on UN Security Council

5. Ghana’s economic turnaround and ‘Resetting Ghana Agenda’

President Mahama did not leave out his government's achievements in his address, using the platform to show how it moved from economic vulnerability toward recovery and growth.

He mentioned lower inflation, a more stable currency, reduced public debt, the Big Push infrastructure programme, the 24-Hour Economy and Free Primary Health Care as part of his government’s agenda.



MAG/VPO

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