Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called for major reforms to the global system. He made the demands while addressing world leaders at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Mahama urged the UN to grant Africa permanent representation on the Security Council. He also demanded full membership rights, responsibilities and veto powers for Africa.
According to Mahama, Africa has about 1.5 billion people and accounts for more than 18 per cent of humanity. The continent also forms the largest regional voting bloc in the General Assembly. 
He laments that Africa has no permanent seat on the Security Council despite its population and described the situation as unacceptable in the 21st century. The Ghana President argued that the existing security council structure still reflects power arrangements created after the Second World War. He noted that amendments is essential for the UN’s legitimacy, credibility and survival.
“Security Council reform is not a favour to Africa,” Mahama said.
Mahama Rejects New Scramble for Africa’s Resources
Beyond UN reform, Mahama issued a strong warning over Africa’s critical minerals. He said the continent would not accept another era of unequal resource extraction.
“Africa will not remain a passive arena for a new scramble for resources,” he declared.
Mahama said Africa must avoid repeating patterns associated with colonial-era exploitation. He called for critical minerals to be processed within Africa while demanding greater investment in local industries and job creation.
Ghana President noted that Africa should retain more of the economic value generated from its natural resources. This demand comes as global interest in minerals such as lithium, cobalt and copper continues to grow. These resources play important roles in renewable energy technologies and the wider energy transition.
Mahama said Africa should therefore negotiate as an equal partner rather than remain a supplier of raw materials.
“Africa does not seek charity,” he said. “Africa seeks equal partnership anchored on mutual respect.”
Africa Demands Greater Voice at UNGA
Mahama connected Africa’s resource concerns to wider questions about global governance. He decried the continent’s absence from the Security Council and how it undermines the principle of equal representation.
Africa, he noted, has a significant population and voting strength within the General Assembly, unfortunately, no African country holds a permanent Security Council seat. Mahama therefore called for permanent African representation with veto powers. He argued that the reform would help address longstanding inequalities within the international system.
The Ghanaian leader also called for changes to the global financial architecture. He said developing countries often face significantly higher borrowing costs than industrialised nations. Climate-related disasters, he added, can force vulnerable countries to take on additional debt.
Mahama called for long-term and affordable financing for developing economies. He said such financing should support human capital, industrialisation and climate adaptation.
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Mahama Calls for Economic Justice and Industrialisation
Mahama also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area. The AfCFTA Secretariat is based in Ghana’s capital, Accra. He described the agreement as an important vehicle for expanding intra-African trade. He also linked it to industrial growth and structural transformation.
For Mahama, Africa’s natural resources should support development across the continent. He argued that exporting raw materials without local processing limits job creation and value retention.
Instead, African countries should develop industries around their mineral and agricultural resources. That approach, he said, would help create dignified opportunities for the continent’s growing youth population.
Mahama also pointed to Africa’s young population, arable land and cultural strength. He argued that these assets position Africa as a major global economic partner.However, he stressed that partnership must involve mutual respect.
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Mahama Links Resource Question to Africa’s Past
The Ghanaian president also connected present economic challenges to Africa’s history. He called for continued recognition of the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement.
Mahama said historical injustices continue to influence modern economic structures. He argued that meaningful repair requires more than symbolic recognition.
According to him, it also requires changes to unfair trade systems and resource extraction practices. He further pointed to debt burdens and other barriers facing developing economies.
Mahama said Africa should not continue losing value while exporting its resources. He also called for greater international support for reparatory justice and restitution.
The Ghanaian leader maintained that Africa’s demands centre on fairness rather than charity.
Mahama Calls for Fairer Global Governance
Mahama’s speech also addressed conflicts, climate change and international cooperation. He called for stronger respect for international law and civilian protection.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s support for a viable two-state solution involving Israel and Palestine. He also condemned terrorism and called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
On climate change, Mahama highlighted Africa’s vulnerability to extreme weather. He said African countries contribute relatively little to global emissions but face serious climate consequences. He therefore called for predictable climate financing that does not deepen developing countries’ debt.
Mahama also urged greater global cooperation on health security. He said developing countries need stronger healthcare systems and regional vaccine manufacturing capacity.
Ghana President Charges African Leaders on Corruption
Mahama used his address to connect global reforms with Ghana’s own development agenda. He said African governments must also improve transparency and accountability. He stressed the need to tackle corruption and ensure public resources serve citizens.
Ultimately, Mahama’s UN address presented Africa as a continent seeking partnership rather than dependency. His central message was clear: Africa wants greater control over its resources and a stronger voice globally.
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