President John Dramani Mahama has called for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), describing Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent representation as a “historical injustice that must be corrected.”
Speaking during the official state visit to Ghana by His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, President Mahama emphasized that Africa’s role in global peace, development, and diplomacy warrants a stronger voice at the highest levels of international decision-making.
He noted that while the global landscape has evolved over the decades, the structure of the UN Security Council remains outdated and unrepresentative, particularly of Africa, a continent that has consistently contributed to international peacekeeping efforts and global partnerships.
“Africa, with 54 countries and over 1.4 billion people, remains the only inhabited continent in this world without a permanent representation on the world’s most influential decision-making body. This historical injustice must be corrected,” President Mahama said.
He stressed that the continent’s exclusion contradicts the principles of fairness, equality, and inclusivity upon which the United Nations was founded.
President Mahama reiterated that Africa’s demand for representation is not merely symbolic but essential for global legitimacy and effective governance.
According to him, Ghana remains firm in its long-standing position, shared by the African Union (AU), calling for a reformed UN Security Council that reflects contemporary realities and ensures equitable participation of all regions.
“Regarding Africa’s representation in global governance, Ghana continues its long-standing and legitimate demand for Africa’s permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Africa, with 54 countries and over 1.4 billion people, remains the only inhabited continent in this world without a permanent representation on the world’s most influential decision-making body. This historical injustice must be corrected,” he emphasized.
President Mahama further underscored that the African Union’s Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration clearly express Africa’s collective stance on the matter.
“The African Union’s Zulwini Consensus and the CERT declaration clearly express Africa’s stance. The continent demands at least two permanent seats with veto power along with additional non-permanent seats,” he stated.
The President highlighted that genuine reform of the Security Council is crucial to addressing growing global tensions and maintaining international trust in multilateral systems. He cautioned that without Africa’s inclusion, decisions taken at the global level will continue to lack legitimacy and fail to reflect the world’s true diversity.
President Mahama commended Germany for its unwavering support for UN Security Council reform and its advocacy for Africa’s rightful place at the decision-making table.
“Germany has consistently supported UN Security Council reform and Africa’s rightful place at their table. I wish to commend President Steinmeier and the German government for this principled stand,” he said.
He therefore called on all nations to move beyond promises and take concrete steps toward reforming the Council to make it more balanced, representative, and credible.
“Ghana calls on all nations to move beyond rhetoric and take action to make the Security Council more representative, democratic, and legitimate,” President Mahama concluded.
The Ghanaian leader’s remarks come amid renewed global conversations about the need for a restructured international order that better reflects the voices and aspirations of developing regions. Analysts say his statement reinforces Africa’s growing diplomatic push for justice, equality, and inclusion within the United Nations framework.
