President John Dramani Mahama urged the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to go beyond passive diplomacy and push for a fairer international system. He said it is no longer acceptable for Africa to be excluded from permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
Speaking at the 65th Anniversary Commemorative High-Level Meeting of the NAM in Belgrade, Serbia, President Mahama said the Movement, representing the majority of the world’s population, must preserve its strategic autonomy and turn its collective numerical strength into tangible geopolitical power.
Quoting Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who said, “we neither face East nor West; we face forward,” President Mahama warned that non-alignment today should not be seen as being passive or neutral when facing injustice.
“In a world that is becoming more divided, the Non-Aligned Movement must keep its independence and avoid taking sides. We should not just watch global events or be used by others with competing interests,” President Mahama told other world 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,” he added.
Central to President Mahama’s expectations for a new world order is the urgent restructuring of global governance institutions, specifically the UN Security Council. He said an international architecture that excludes Africa from permanent representation lacks legitimacy and fails to reflect modern global realities.
He confirmed that Ghana continues to support the African Common Position in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, which calls for permanent African seats with full veto rights and more non-permanent seats.
Mr Mahama highlighted the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250, which recognised chattel enslavement as a serious crime against humanity. He said this shows that when the Global South works together, it can achieve justice. He urged NAM countries to use this unity to help change old global political systems.
“Today’s world needs a multilateral system that is stronger, more representative, and more responsive,” Mahama said. “For the Council to earn the trust and legitimacy of the international community, it must better reflect the world it serves.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
