Local Government expert Ing. Isaac Amon Kotei has commended President John Dramani Mahama for what he describes as a bold representation of Ghana and Africa on the international stage, particularly through the President’s interventions at the United Nations.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s morning show in Accra-Tema on Friday, September 25, 2026, Mr Amon Kotei said President Mahama’s international engagements had demonstrated Ghana’s willingness to speak openly about issues affecting Africa and to demand greater recognition for the continent in global decision-making.
According to him, African leaders must make effective use of international platforms to articulate the continent’s concerns and advocate reforms that would give Africa a more meaningful role in institutions responsible for shaping global affairs.
Mr Amon Kotei said Africa’s participation in global affairs should go beyond attending international meetings, arguing that African countries must contribute meaningfully to decisions on peace, security, development and economic cooperation.
Mahama’s UN intervention
Mr Amon Kotei pointed to President Mahama’s address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 as an important example of Ghana raising issues concerning Africa’s position in the global governance system.
During that address, President Mahama called for reforms to the United Nations and argued for permanent African representation on the Security Council, including veto rights. The United Nations has continued to conduct intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, with equitable regional representation among the issues under discussion.
Mr Amon Kotei said such calls reflected the need for Africa to move from being largely represented in discussions about global affairs to having a stronger role in the decisions that directly affect the continent.
He argued that Africa has made significant contributions to international peace, development and cooperation and should therefore have its interests properly considered in the institutions that shape global policies.
Ghana’s role in Africa
The Local Government expert also highlighted Ghana’s historical role in the Pan-African movement, saying the country has a responsibility to continue contributing to discussions on the continent’s future.
He said Ghana’s involvement in the struggle for African independence and unity places an important responsibility on the country to use its international engagements to promote issues that can benefit both Ghana and Africa as a whole.
According to him, such engagements should focus on practical issues including economic development, infrastructure, investment, employment and stronger cooperation among African countries.
He maintained that diplomacy should not remain limited to speeches and international meetings but should ultimately produce opportunities and tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
Collective African action
Mr Amon Kotei further called for greater cooperation among African countries, arguing that the continent would have a stronger voice when countries coordinate their positions instead of approaching major international negotiations individually.
He said Africa possesses substantial human and natural resources as well as economic potential, but greater cooperation is needed to ensure those resources contribute more directly to improving the lives of its people.
He urged African leaders to combine their diplomatic efforts with practical strategies that would strengthen the continent’s bargaining position within international institutions.
“Africa must make its voice heard, and we must continue to demand the respect and recognition that the continent deserves,” he said.
Mr Amon Kotei added that Ghana’s participation in international discussions should translate into stronger economic partnerships, infrastructure development, investment and improved international cooperation.
He said President Mahama’s international engagements should therefore be considered in the broader context of Ghana’s and Africa’s participation in global decision-making.
The President’s 2025 UN address itself focused substantially on Africa’s role in the future of the United Nations and the continent’s historical underrepresentation in the organisation’s founding and governance structures.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah