President John Dramani Mahama has urged the international community to stop exploiting Africa’s natural resources and to recognize the continent’s growing global importance.
Speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mahama called for greater African control over its resources, fairer representation in global institutions, and reparations for historical injustices.
“The days of parceling out vast concession areas to foreign interests for exploitation must come to an end,” Mahama declared, while stressing that Africa welcomes investment but expects a fair share of its wealth.
He lamented the continent’s portrayal as impoverished and the significant drop in humanitarian aid, noting a 40% decline since July 2024.
Mahama also linked Africa’s current challenges to historical exploitation, calling for recognition of the slave trade as “the greatest crime against humanity” and demanding reparations for colonial plunder and stolen cultural artefacts.
On global governance, he urged a UN “reset,” advocating for at least one permanent African seat on the Security Council and restructuring multilateral financial institutions to ensure fairness.
He concluded by highlighting Africa’s youthful population, resilience, and potential as central to humanity’s future.
