President John Dramani Mahama has departed Accra for New York to participate in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), which officially opens on Tuesday, 23 September 2025.
The President, who is leading a high-level Ghanaian delegation, is scheduled to deliver Ghana’s national statement at the General Assembly on Thursday, 25 September.
This year’s UNGA session comes at a critical time for global cooperation, with world leaders expected to address pressing issues of peace, climate change, development financing, and reform of international institutions.
For President Mahama, the event presents a platform not only to articulate Ghana’s priorities but also to advance Africa’s common agenda on global financial reforms.
In his role as the African Union’s Champion for Financial Institutions, President Mahama will host two major side events in New York.
These gatherings are expected to focus on strengthening Africa’s financial architecture, mobilizing resources for sustainable development, and promoting greater equity in the global economic system.
Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said that the engagements will build on ongoing continental discussions aimed at enhancing Africa’s bargaining power in the global financial order.
The President’s itinerary also features a series of bilateral meetings with key international leaders and institutions. He is expected to hold discussions with the UN Secretary-General on global peace and security matters, as well as on Ghana’s contributions to peacekeeping operations.
Other high-level engagements include talks with heads of state and meetings with influential global development partners, including the President of the Rockefeller Foundation.
These bilateral discussions are likely to center on climate resilience, sustainable development financing, and partnerships for Africa’s economic transformation.
President Mahama’s visit also includes engagements with the United States business community. He is scheduled to interact with the US-Africa Chamber of Commerce, where he will seek to deepen economic and trade ties between Ghana and the United States, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In what has been described as a symbolic and historic moment, President Mahama will also visit the NASDAQ stock exchange, where he is expected to ring the closing bell. This engagement is aimed at showcasing Ghana as an attractive destination for investment and highlighting opportunities for global investors to participate in Africa’s growth story.
Ghana’s First Lady Speaks at UN Side Event
The President is accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, who has a busy schedule of her own. Mrs. Mahama is slated to attend and deliver remarks at side events organized by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), a body committed to advancing health, education, and empowerment initiatives across the continent.
In addition, she will give the keynote address at a World Vision International prayer service dedicated to children worldwide. Her participation is expected to underline Ghana’s commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of women and children, as well as to promote shared international responsibility in tackling issues such as child poverty, health inequalities, and access to education.
The President’s delegation reflects the breadth of Ghana’s representation at this year’s Assembly. It includes Chief of Staff Julius Debrah; Executive Secretary, Dr. Callistus Mahama; Special Aide and Presidential Advisor, Joyce Bawah Mogtari; and Deputy Chief of Staff (Finance and Administration) and Technical Adviser to the First Lady, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo.
Also in the delegation are Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP); Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP); Minister for Trade, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare; Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP); and Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Simon Madjie.
According to Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, the broad composition of the delegation reflects Ghana’s approach of pursuing a coordinated agenda on diplomacy, health, trade, and investment promotion.
Each member of the team is expected to play a role in advancing Ghana’s national interest in line with the overarching themes of the Assembly.
Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasized that the President’s engagements in New York are of strategic importance to Ghana and Africa as a whole.
He explained that the combination of multilateral diplomacy at the UN, bilateral engagements with global leaders, and outreach to international business institutions positions Ghana at the center of conversations about sustainable growth and reform of global governance systems.
The visit to New York is also seen as a continuation of President Mahama’s commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. Since returning to office in January 2025, Mahama has consistently underscored the importance of Africa having a stronger voice on issues of global economic governance.
His role as AU Champion for Financial Institutions is expected to feature prominently during his engagements in New York, particularly as African countries continue to call for reforms that will allow the continent to better mobilize resources for development.
President Mahama and his delegation are expected to return to Ghana on 30 September 2025 after a week of diplomacy, advocacy, and engagements with international stakeholders.
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