An Unconventional Speech: Key Points from John Mahama’s Address at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly
Seven Current Topics on the International Agenda
At first glance, it might seem that in the packed agenda of the morning session on the third day of the general debate at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the main source of statements and newsworthy remarks would be Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s address. However, such a conclusion would undoubtedly be premature. The speech by Ghanaian President John Mahama—one of the most charismatic politicians on the African continent, who regained his presidency in the December 2024 elections—exceeded even the boldest expectations, addressing at least seven pressing issues on the international agenda.
First of all, the Ghanaian President addressed the role of African states in the UN. At the organization’s inception, only four of the 51 founding members represented the African continent, and although their number has since increased exponentially, their actual access to decision-making remains extremely limited. In this regard, the Ghanaian leader called for concrete steps, including providing at least one permanent seat on the UN Security Council (SC) for African countries.
Furthermore, John Mahama advocated abolishing the unlimited veto power of the victorious countries of World War II by granting the UN General Assembly the power to override vetoes through voting.
Overcoming Injustice in International Relations
Secondly, throughout his speech, the President of Ghana consistently returned to various stories illustrating long-standing injustices and stereotypes in the international relations system. In particular, John Mahama called for an end to the blockade of Cuba, the Island of Freedom, which significantly contributed to the destruction of the apartheid regime in Africa. Similarly, the politician criticized the bias of Western states on the issue of illegal migration: the West is ready to support Ukrainian refugees while viewing migrants from the Global South as pathological criminals.
Crimes in Gaza
The mention of the Palestinian agenda in John Mahama’s speech deserves special attention: Ghana’s foreign policy, traditionally neutral on the most controversial issues, generally does not use harsh judgments. Recently, the Ghanaian opposition has already called on the government to abandon its harsh rhetoric regarding the events in Gaza. It is all the more remarkable that the President of Ghana not only emphasized his commitment to the creation of an independent Palestinian state but also directly called Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip a crime. “The crimes being committed in Gaza must stop!” Mahama said it twice.
Restoring historical justice through reparations
Predictably, Ghana’s national leader also addressed the issue of restoring historical justice through reparations—the 2025 theme of the African Union (AU). John Mahama, the AU’s appointed champion on this issue, once again reminded the world of the use of African slave labor, the centuries-long colonial exploitation of Africa’s natural resources, and the theft of valuable cultural artifacts by representatives of Western civilization. The issue of reparations must be unequivocally resolved in favor of African countries, the President of Ghana stated.
Is the world choosing war?
Addressing the growing conflict potential of our world, John Mahama recalled that as military spending increases globally, humanitarian aid is rapidly being curtailed. Thus, in 2025, its volumes were reduced by 40% compared to 2024—a colossal blow to any development initiatives.
Overcoming Neocolonial Practices
It is noteworthy that the Ghanaian leader did not limit himself to the issue of restoring historical justice through reparations. Developing the thesis of the unacceptability of neocolonial practices, John Dramani Mahama demanded the elimination of mining concessions by foreign companies in developing countries as a means of maintaining inequality and siphoning off national wealth.
Gender Equality
In conclusion, the President of Ghana emphasized the need to ensure gender equality, including equal opportunities for both sexes in politics. According to Mahama, his country is a positive example in this regard—with the election of Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as Vice President, women’s representation in Ghanaian politics has reached a fundamentally new level.
Ivan Kopytsev, political scientist, junior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of North Africa and the Horn of Africa at the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences; junior researcher at the African Programme at the Institute of International Studies of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
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