By Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L.H.D (Hon.)

New York, Updated at 18:09 EAT on Saturday 26th September 2025— Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, delivered a powerful address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, declaring that Africa’s demographic strength, resilience, and untapped potential position the continent as a central force in shaping the world’s future.

Tracing Africa’s marginal role in the founding of both the League of Nations in 1920 and the United Nations in 1945, President Mahama said the tables had now turned. “By the year 2050, more than 25% of the world’s population is expected to come from the African continent. Additionally, one-third of all young people, aged 15 to 24, will be residing in Africa. The future is African!” he told delegates to thunderous applause.

Mahama used Ghana’s recent economic revival as an example of Africa’s resilience. Under his “Resetting Ghana” agenda, inflation dropped from 23.8% in December 2024 to 11.5% by August 2025, while the cedi emerged as one of the world’s best-performing currencies. He credited ambitious reforms, including the 24-Hour Economy Initiative, with restoring investor confidence and public trust.

The President, however, warned that just as Ghana has recalibrated, the United Nations must also “reset” to reflect today’s realities. He pressed for urgent reforms, including permanent African representation on the Security Council and limits on the absolute veto power of the current five permanent members. Quoting Nelson Mandela’s 1995 call for UN reform, he asked, “If not now, then when?”

Mahama also called for a restructuring of the global financial architecture, saying it remains “rigged against Africa,” and urged greater African voice in multilateral institutions. He further demanded reparations for slavery and colonial exploitation, the return of looted cultural artifacts, and sovereignty over natural resources to ensure Africa’s prosperity.

On global issues, the President spoke candidly about conflicts in Palestine and Sudan, climate change, and the rise of xenophobia. He condemned the denial of visas to Palestinian leaders as “a bad precedent,” reiterated Ghana’s support for a two-state solution, and highlighted the plight of climate refugees. Citing Somali-British poet Warsan Shire, he reminded the Assembly that “no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.”

Mahama also celebrated the contributions of migrants and their descendants, from Ghanaian-American federal judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong to the late Kofi Annan, insisting that migrants are not “invaders” but global contributors.

“The slave trade must be recognised as the greatest crime against humanity,” he declared, underscoring Africa’s demand for justice, dignity, and equal representation.

In a historic close, Mahama celebrated Ghana’s own milestones, congratulating Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the country’s first female Vice President and urging the UN to one day appoint a woman as Secretary-General.

“Now every Ghanaian girl knows the heights to which she can ascend,” he said. “Words matter, but issues of representation matter even more.”