The Future is African: John Mahama’s Bold Vision at the 80th UNGA
On September 25, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama took the stage in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. His speech was not just a report on Ghana’s progress but a defiant vision for a more equitable world order.
A Call for a “Global Reset”
President Mahama emphasized that the world has changed drastically since the UN’s founding in 1945. He argued that the organization must embark on its own “Reset Agenda” to reflect modern realities.
- UN Security Council Reform: The President called for at least one permanent seat for Africa on the Security Council and a mechanism to challenge absolute veto powers.
- Economic Justice: He demanded a reset of the global financial architecture, which he described as “rigged against Africa,” and called for greater African representation in multilateral financial institutions.
The “Reset Agenda” in Ghana
President Mahama shared the success of Ghana’s domestic “Reset Agenda” since he was sworn in for his second term in January 2025.
- Inflation Reduction: In just eight months, Ghana reduced inflation from 23.8% in December 2024 to 11.5% in August 2025.
- Currency Performance: The Ghana Cedi has seen significant appreciation, at one point being reported as the best-performing currency in the world.
Humanitarian Crises and Global Responsibility
The President did not shy away from critical global conflicts:
- Gaza: He called for an immediate end to the crimes in Gaza, stating that a two-state solution is a necessity for innocent civilians rather than a reward for any group.
- Sudan: He highlighted Sudan as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, urging the global community to assist Sudanese refugees with the same urgency as those from other regions.
- Reparations: As the African Champion on Reparations, the President announced Ghana’s intention to introduce a motion recognizing the slave trade as a crime against humanity and demanding reparations for colonization and resource theft.
Empowerment and Representation
Closing his address, Mahama celebrated the election of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and looked forward to the day a woman leads the United Nations as Secretary-General.
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