New york: President John Dramani Mahama says Africa is no longer a passive participant in global affairs but a driver of transformation, capable of reshaping the economic, political, and ecological order of the world. President Mahama, speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Thursday, declared that Africa's resilience and demographic strength positioned it as a central force in global systemic change.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama highlighted Africa's emerging role as a catalyst for human potential and development, as well as for economic reform and ecological stability. He observed that stereotypes shaped by racism, colonialism, and imperialism continued to cloud perceptions of the continent. He warned that viewing Africa through these historical lenses could make its current reality seem unsettling.
President Mahama emphasised that Africa had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to overcome adversity, citing Ghana's recent economic progress. Through a bold economic reset agenda, Ghana had reduced inflation and restored stability to the cedi, boosting investor confidence. He noted that Africa's growing youthful population provided unique leverage in shaping the future, projecting that by 2050, one-third of the world's young people would reside in Africa.
He urged the United Nations and the international community to recognise this new reality and move beyond outdated structures. The Security Council, he argued, must reflect the diversity of today's world by granting Africa permanent representation and curbing the absolute veto power of five nations.
President Mahama also called for systemic reform in the global financial architecture, which he described as being 'rigged against Africa.' He advocated for a fairer share of decision-making within international financial institutions and urged African states to exercise sovereignty over natural resources. He underscored the need for better negotiations to ensure a larger share of Africa's natural resources remained with the continent.
Linking Africa's systemic role to pressing global issues, President Mahama argued that Africa bore the brunt of climate change despite contributing far less to global emissions. He reminded the Assembly that Africa was defined by resilience, creativity, and potential, rather than poverty and instability. He called on the world to embrace Africa's transformative role, suggesting that the continent's empowerment would mean progress for all humanity.
