Sankofaonline News Desk:United Nations Headquarters, New York– September 25, 2025
In a moment destined to be remembered as a defining chapter in global diplomacy, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, delivered a commanding and deeply human address to the United Nations General Assembly today. Widely hailed as one of the most compelling speeches ever delivered by a world leader, Mahama’s words cut through political noise with clarity, courage, and conviction.
A Call for Justice and Global Solidarity
President Mahama opened with a bold appeal for the removal of the blockade on Cuba, invoking the legacy of Ghana’s founding father, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. “Cuba has been and continues to be a faithful friend of Africa,” he declared, reminding the Assembly of Cuba’s sacrifices in the fight against apartheid.
He likened the United Nations to a modern-day town square,a sacred space where nations gather to speak, listen, and heal. But he warned that this space is under threat. “The internet, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence offer the illusion of connectivity,” he said, “but they reinforce isolation, disinformation, and division.”
A World on Edge
Mahama’s tone grew solemn as he addressed the rise of nationalism, economic instability, and the erosion of multilateralism. He condemned the denial of visas to President Abbas and the Palestinian delegation, calling it “a dangerous precedent.” With piercing clarity, he spoke of Gaza: “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck,then it must be a duck. The crimes in Gaza must stop.”
He turned the Assembly’s attention to Sudan, where 12 million people have fled their homes. “Let’s dispense with euphemisms and dog whistles,” he urged. “When Western leaders speak of migration problems, they often mean immigrants from the Global South,many of whom are climate refugees.”
Climate, Migration, and the Power of Truth
Quoting Somali-British poet Warsan Shire, Mahama painted a haunting picture of desperation: “No one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.” He called on the world to reject cruelty, hatred, xenophobia, and racism,and to tell the full truth about migration.
He celebrated the contributions of migrants, naming trailblazers like Judge Mami Eusi Mensah Frimpong, Slovenian mayor Peter Bosman, designer T. Michael, and the late Kofi Annan. “These are not invaders. These are not criminals,” he said. “They are the architects of progress.”
Reparations and Resource Sovereignty
In a historic declaration, Mahama announced Ghana’s intention to introduce a motion recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as the greatest crime against humanity. “More than 12.5 million Africans were forcibly taken to create wealth for powerful Western nations,” he said. “We must demand reparations, not just for the theft of our people, but for the colonization of our land and the looting of our heritage.”
He called for an end to exploitative resource concessions and demanded fairer terms for foreign investment. “We are tired of being portrayed as poverty-stricken and disease-ridden,” he thundered. “We are tired of being offered the least in return for the most.”
A New World for Women and Girls
Echoing Indian-American writer Arundhati Roy, Mahama spoke of his hopes for his 18-year-old daughter and for all African girls. “Let this new world be a place of safety and equality,” he said. “To succeed, we must empower everyone, including women and girls, to reach their full potential.”
He closed with a tribute to the women breaking barriers: congratulating the fifth female President of the General Assembly and Ghana’s first female Vice President, Nana Jane Opoku Agyeman. “Now every Ghanaian girl knows the heights to which she can ascend.”
A Speech for the Ages
President Mahama’s address was not merely a speech,it was a reckoning, a rallying cry, and a roadmap for a more just world. In a time of global uncertainty, his words offered clarity. In a time of division, his voice united. And in a time of despair, his vision inspired.
As the applause thundered through the General Assembly Hall, one thing was clear: history had just been made.
Video: Credit Woezor TV.
