President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for bold UN Security Council reform, insisting that Africa can no longer remain excluded from permanent representation while the Non-Aligned Movement must convert its numerical strength into real geopolitical influence.
Addressing the 65th Anniversary Commemorative High-Level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, Serbia, President Mahama challenged member states to move beyond declarations and passive diplomacy in pursuit of a fairer global order.
Africa cannot remain excluded
Mahama said the current structure of global governance no longer reflects the realities of the modern world, particularly the aspirations and interests of developing nations.
“Today's world needs a multilateral system that is stronger, more representative, and more responsive.
“For the Council to earn the trust and legitimacy of the international community, it must better reflect the world it serves.” - Mahama
The President argued that NAM, which represents a substantial share of the world's population, must preserve its strategic autonomy while translating its collective numbers into diplomatic and political power.
Quoting Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mahama recalled the famous words: “We neither face East nor West; we face forward.”
He said non-alignment should not be mistaken for silence or neutrality in the face of injustice.
“In a world that is becoming more divided, the Non-Aligned Movement must keep its independence and avoid taking sides,” Mahama told fellow leaders.
“Our statements should lead to real diplomatic action, and the Movement's credibility should be judged not just by what we say, but by what we achieve.” - Mahama
Mahama pushes economic sovereignty
Beyond political reform, President Mahama challenged countries of the Global South to rethink an international economic system that continues to position developing economies primarily as suppliers of raw materials.
“We cannot remain perpetual suppliers of raw materials,” he said, urging greater resource sovereignty, local value addition and economic self-reliance.
He argued that political independence would remain incomplete without economic transformation and access to affordable development finance.
Mahama also pointed to the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250, recognising chattel enslavement as a serious crime against humanity, as evidence of what coordinated action by countries of the Global South could achieve.
For the Ghanaian leader, that same collective force must now be deployed to reform outdated international institutions and build a system in which developing nations have a stronger voice.
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