Speaking during Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebration on March 6, the President reflected on the contributions of past administrations to the nation’s democratic growth and stability.

Reflecting on the legacy of slavery, the President referenced the painful history associated with Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, which served as departure points for enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade.

“The dungeons of the Cape Coast and Elmina castles remind us of the dark chapters of history when millions of Africans were forcibly transported across the Middle Passage to the so-called New World. Yet from that tragedy arose the remarkable resilience, creativity, and cultural brilliance that continue to influence the world,” he said.

President Mahama further revealed that Ghana’s motion at the United Nations will push for justice and restitution for descendants of enslaved Africans.

“Later this month, Ghana will submit a motion to the United Nations declaring slavery and the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity. This motion will represent the justice and restitution that is long overdue. Ghana, the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence, will once again lead the global call for dignity and restoration,” he added.

He also welcomed Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, highlighting the deep historical ties between Ghana and the Caribbean.

“Your visits and our bilateral engagements represent more than just diplomacy. They signify a historic reconnection between Ghana and our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean, branches of the same ancestral tree,” he stated.

He concluded by urging citizens to unite in building a fair, peaceful and prosperous nation.

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Speaking at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to democracy and underscored the country’s reputation as a beacon of democratic governance in Africa.

“As my presidency draws to a close, I want to assure this Assembly that the upcoming 2024 elections in Ghana will be free, fair, and transparent,” President Akufo-Addo said. “Ghanaians have demonstrated time and time again, in the last three decades, their strong attachment to democracy, which they will not permit to be undermined.”

Ghana’s democratic credentials have long been held in high regard, with the country consistently ranking as one of Africa’s most stable and peaceful democracies. Since transitioning to multi-party democracy in 1992, Ghana has held eight successive peaceful elections, with power changing hands between political parties on multiple occasions.

This history of democratic stability has earned the West African nation praise from the international community, and the upcoming 2024 elections are expected to be a critical test of Ghana’s continued leadership in African democracy.

“The Electoral Commission, supported by Ghana’s security services, is well-equipped to ensure that the will of the Ghanaian people is respected,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He also highlighted the crucial role of the country’s democratic institutions in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. “Ghana has long been a beacon of democracy in Africa, and we intend to keep it that way.”

The President’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in the region, with several West African countries experiencing military coups in recent years.

President Akufo-Addo expressed concern over the political instability in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military juntas have overthrown democratically elected governments. “Ongoing developments in West Africa are deeply troubling,” he said.

“These coups are stark reminders that democracy is, indeed, fragile and must be continually nurtured.”

In contrast, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that Ghana remains resolute in its commitment to upholding democratic values and the rule of law. ”

The people of Ghana, from every corner of the country, have made their voices clear: they will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the democratic process,” he said.

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He has urged world leaders to adopt multilateral solutions to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change, inequality, and global governance reform.

Speaking to an Assembly of Heads of State, government officials, and delegates from around the world, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the urgency of collective action, stating that the future is no longer distant but is here and now, shaped by the decisions made in this crucial moment.

“Our theme, ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,’ reminds us that no nation, no matter how powerful, can solve today’s challenges alone,” the President remarked.

He highlighted the global nature of current crises, from the climate emergency to terrorism, noting that these problems transcend national boundaries and require global cooperation.

President Akufo-Addo’s speech strongly condemned the resurgence of “irrational isolationism and blind nationalism” in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the pandemic had revealed the interconnectedness of all nations and demonstrated that unilateral approaches to global challenges are doomed to failure.

At the heart of the President’s address was the growing climate crisis, with a particular focus on Africa’s disproportionate suffering.

Despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, Africa continues to bear the brunt of the devastating effects of climate change, from severe flooding to increasing desertification. He issued a clarion call for “climate justice,” insisting that Africa should not continue to pay the price for a crisis it did not create.

“We are told to ‘adapt’ and ‘be resilient,’ but how does one adapt to famine, or build resilience when farmers cannot predict the seasons?” President Akufo-Addo questioned. He went on to demand fairness and equity in the global fight against climate change, stressing that Africa’s need is for justice, not charity.

The President also addressed the widening inequality between rich and poor nations, underscoring that over 700 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, deprived of basic human rights.

“The pandemic exacerbated this inequality, pushing millions more into poverty, while the wealth of the richest soared. This is unsustainable, and it is immoral,” he stated. He called for a new global economic order, one that promotes inclusivity and ensures that no nation is left behind.

One of the key issues raised by President Akufo-Addo was the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council, which he described as an “outdated, post-Second World War relic.”

He highlighted the glaring underrepresentation of Africa, home to 1.4 billion people, in the Council and called for the implementation of the Ezulwini Consensus, which outlines Africa’s position on UN reform.

“Africa’s voice must be heard in shaping the future of global peace and security,” the President stated firmly, adding that the current global governance structure is rooted in an unjust and unequal world order. He called for bold reforms that would ensure every nation, regardless of its size or wealth, has an equal voice on the world stage.

Concluding his speech, President Akufo-Addo urged leaders to act with urgency and determination, noting that future generations would judge the current leadership by its actions.

“The world is watching. The future is watching. We cannot be the generation that stood by as the world burned, while inequality widened, and promises of justice went unfulfilled.”

With a resounding call for bold, decisive action, President Akufo-Addo’s address encapsulated the spirit of the summit’s theme—multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow—and challenged the international community to rise to the occasion.

As the world continues to grapple with crises that demand global solutions, the President’s speech served as a reminder of the necessity of cooperation and the shared responsibility to secure a better future for all.

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