President John Dramani Mahama has called for urgent reforms in the United Nations system to give Africa a stronger voice in global decision-making. Addressing the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Ghanaian leader insisted that Africa’s future demographic and economic weight makes it indispensable to the global order.
Tracing Africa’s marginal role in the founding of both the League of Nations and the UN, President Mahama argued that the continent has long been excluded from shaping international structures. He stressed that by 2050, Africa will account for more than a quarter of the world’s population and one in every ten young people.
“The future of this world is Africa. Allow me to say this once again, a little louder for those of you in the back: the future is Africa,” he declared.
President Mahama also urged reforms to the UN Security Council, describing its current structure as outdated and unfair. He demanded that Africa be granted at least one permanent seat, and that the absolute veto power enjoyed by five nations be subjected to challenge by the General Assembly.
“No single nation should be able to exercise an absolute veto to serve its own interest in a dispute,” he stressed.
The President further called for a “Reset Agenda” for the UN, similar to reforms his government has undertaken in Ghana’s economy. He cited progress under his administration, including a reduction in inflation from 23.8% in December 2024 to 11.5% in August 2025, stabilization of the Ghana cedi, and improved investor confidence.
President. Mahama also pressed for a reset of the global financial architecture, arguing that equity and shared responsibility must replace outdated power structures.
Quoting the late Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela’s 1995 call for UN reform, he said, Africa has waited long enough for fairness.”Thirty years later, we African leaders are still making the same simple request. So today, I ask the world , if not now, then when?” President Mahama challenged.
