Ghana’s President HE John Dramani Mahama has reiterated calls for urgent reforms within the United Nations (UN), particularly in its Security Council, highlighting the need for inclusivity and responsiveness to modern global challenges.
Speaking at the “Chartering Relevance: Towards a Stronger UN in a Fragmented World” session as part of the 2025 Munich Security Conference, President Mahama emphasized that while the UN has undergone various reforms to improve efficiency across its agencies, the Security Council remains “static, archaic, and moribund.”
The UNSC currently consists of five permanent members: Russia, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and France.
Each of these nations holds veto power, allowing them to unilaterally block resolutions, even if the majority of other members support them. The remaining ten seats on the council are non-permanent and are distributed regionally.
Africa currently occupies three of the 15 seats on the council, held by Sierra Leone, Algeria, and Mozambique. However, given that African nations make up 28% of the UN’s total membership, many argue that the continent’s representation is insufficient.
This disparity has fueled ongoing debates and calls for reform, with the issue of Africa’s underrepresentation at the forefront.
President Mahama pointed out that for years, the developing world and the Global South have persistently advocated for changes in the structure of the Security Council to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
However, he lamented that a lack of unity among developing nations has hindered progress in achieving the much-needed reform.
“Unfortunately, we’re not speaking with one voice. The main issue that is a stumbling block to the reform of the Security Council is the question of the veto. And so I think that one, let’s expand the council. Let’s add additional permanent members.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama further argued that the debate over the veto power should not obstruct the expansion of the Security Council.
He asserted that once new permanent members are added, discussions around modifying the veto system could follow. His stance aligns with longstanding demands from African, Asian, and Latin American nations seeking fair representation within the UN’s most powerful decision-making body.
More Multilateralism in a Fragmented World
The Ghanaian leader underscored the importance of a more collaborative global approach, stating that in today’s fragmented world, “we need more multilateralism, more global cooperation.”
He cited pressing global issues such as climate change, noting that no single country can tackle these challenges alone.
“We have more challenges today—climate change and all that. We need to work together. We can’t leave this planet. This is the only planet we have, and the only way we can save this planet is if we’re working together.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama’s call for unity and cooperation resonates at a time when international alliances face strains from geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and climate emergencies.
He reaffirmed that the UN remains more crucial today than at any time in history, insisting that its structures must evolve to maintain its relevance in global governance.
“We need to take the bull by the horns. We need to reform the Security Council, and we all need to work together to make this planet habitable for us”.
President John Dramani Mahama
His remarks add to the ongoing global discourse on UN reform, a topic that has been on the agenda for decades without significant breakthroughs.
With growing dissatisfaction among developing nations over their limited role in international decision-making, President Mahama’s speech at the Munich Security Conference amplifies the call for a more inclusive and equitable world order.
READ ALSO: Ghana Selects China, U.S. Firms for Nuclear Energy
