Josiah
In a powerful address at the United Nations “Summit of the Future” held in New York, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a heartfelt appeal for global unity, urging world leaders to embrace multilateral solutions to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, inequality, and global governance reform.
Speaking before an audience of Heads of State, government officials, and international delegates, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the immediate need for collective action, declaring that the future is no longer distant but is being shaped by decisions made today.
“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 said. He stressed that global crises like climate change and terrorism transcend national borders and demand cooperative responses.
Akufo-Addo strongly criticized the rise of “irrational isolationism and blind nationalism” in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the crisis revealed how interconnected the world truly is. He argued that unilateral approaches to global issues are destined to fail.
Central to his address was the growing climate crisis, with a special focus on Africa’s disproportionate suffering. Despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, Africa is facing severe impacts, including flooding and desertification. He called for “climate justice,” stating that Africa should not be left to bear the burden of a crisis it did not cause.
“We are told to ‘adapt’ and ‘be resilient,’ but how does one adapt to famine or build resilience when farmers can no longer predict the seasons?” Akufo-Addo asked, calling for fairness and equity in the global response to climate change, insisting Africa needs justice, not charity.
The President also addressed the deepening inequality between rich and poor nations, highlighting that over 700 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty. He described the pandemic as a driver of greater inequality, pushing millions into poverty while the wealth of the richest soared, calling this situation “unsustainable and immoral.” He advocated for a new global economic order, one that promotes inclusivity and ensures no nation is left behind.
Another key issue 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by President Akufo-Addo was the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council, which he described as an “outdated, post-Second World War relic.”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 pointed out the underrepresentation of Africa, a continent with 1.4 billion people, and urged 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,” he declared, adding that the current global governance structure is based on an unjust and unequal world order. He called for bold reforms to ensure every nation, regardless of size or wealth, has an equal voice.
In closing, President Akufo-Addo urged global leaders to act with urgency, reminding them that future generations will judge today’s 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 call for bold and decisive action, President Akufo-Addo encapsulated the summit’s theme—multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow—challenging the international community to rise to the occasion and work together for a more just and sustainable future.
