President John Dramani Mahama has called for permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council, including full veto powers.
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026, President Mahama said Africa’s absence from the permanent membership of the Security Council could no longer continue.
“Africa must be granted permanent representation on the UN Security Council, complete with all the rights, responsibilities, and veto powers of such membership,” he said.
President Mahama highlighted Africa’s population and role within the United Nations. He said Africa is home to about 1.5 billion people, representing more than 18 per cent of the world’s population. Africa is also the largest regional voting bloc in the UN General Assembly, he noted.
However, the continent does not have a permanent seat on the Security Council. “This is fundamentally unacceptable in the 21st century,” Mahama said.
The President called for reforms to make the UN’s global decision-making structures more representative. He said Africa’s demand for permanent representation should not be viewed as a special concession.
“Security Council reform is not a favour to Africa; it is an imperative for the legitimacy, credibility, and survival of the United Nations,” he said.
Mahama’s call formed part of his wider address on global governance, multilateralism and inequality.
The 81st UN General Assembly is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
