President John Dramani Mahama used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York to make a wide-ranging case for greater global justice, African economic transformation and stronger multilateral cooperation.
From reparations for the transatlantic slave trade to Ghana’s economic recovery, climate change and reform of the international system, these were five major themes from his September 24, 2026 address.
1. Mahama renews push for reparatory justice
A major focus of the speech was Ghana’s campaign for recognition and action on the historical consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and chattel enslavement.
Mahama pointed to the UN General Assembly’s March 2026 adoption of Resolution 80/250, saying 123 countries voted to recognise the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crimes against humanity. He argued that acknowledgement should be followed by meaningful repair, including restitution and structural changes.
2. Africa must stop exporting raw wealth
Mahama called for a transformation of Africa’s role in the global economy, particularly in the extraction of critical minerals needed for the green-energy transition.
He argued that African countries should process their resources locally rather than primarily exporting raw materials while jobs and greater economic value are created elsewhere. He also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as an instrument for expanding intra-African trade and industrialisation.
3. Ghana’s economic recovery takes centre stage
The President also used the global platform to highlight what he described as Ghana’s economic turnaround.
He attributed the recovery to fiscal discipline, governance measures and efforts to combat corruption, pointing to reduced inflation, currency stabilisation, stronger growth and a lower public-debt burden. He also highlighted Ghana’s social-protection and healthcare initiatives as part of the government’s broader national-reset agenda.
4. Climate change is an issue of global equity
Mahama described climate change as “the ultimate test of global equity,” arguing that Africa’s relatively small contribution to global greenhouse-gas emissions contrasts with the severe climate impacts experienced across the continent.
He cited erratic rainfall, coastal erosion and desertification among the challenges facing African countries and called for stronger international commitments to climate justice and financing.
5. Mahama calls for a fairer global order
The President challenged what he described as weaknesses in the current multilateral system, calling for greater respect for international law and a stronger voice for Africa in global decision-making.
He highlighted Africa’s lack of a permanent seat on the UN Security Council despite the continent’s population and voting strength within the General Assembly. He also spoke about the conflict involving Palestinians and argued that global peace must be anchored in justice and respect for international rules.
Overall, Mahama’s address combined Ghana’s domestic economic narrative with a broader Pan-African message: greater representation, economic value retention, climate justice, reparatory justice and reforms to the global system.
