UNGA President supports Africa’s push for permanent UNSC seats – Ablakwa
Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described his recent meeting with the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dr Khalilur Rahman, as inspiring and substantive.
According to Mr Ablakwa, Dr Rahman supports reforms at the United Nations and shares Africa’s call for permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
“As Dr Rahman has famously said, ‘Africa needs to be at the table, not on the menu,’” Mr Ablakwa said.
The two also discussed the highly anticipated report expected next year from the new UN Secretary-General on progress following the adoption of a Ghana-led UN resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity.
The resolution requires the UN Secretary-General to present a report on the progress made to the 82nd session of the UN General Assembly.
Mr Ablakwa wished Dr Rahman well in his new role, describing him as a distinguished former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for Africa to be granted permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
Speaking at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, President Mahama argued that Africa’s exclusion from the council’s permanent membership reflects longstanding inequalities in the global governance system.
He said meaningful reform of the international system must address what he described as historical injustices embedded in existing global power structures.
President Mahama maintained that Africa’s demographic and political significance can no longer be overlooked in discussions on the composition and reform of the UN Security Council.
He noted that Africa accounts for a significant share of the world’s population and constitutes the largest regional voting bloc in the UN General Assembly.
He therefore argued that the continent’s continued exclusion from permanent membership of the Security Council is inconsistent with the realities of the 21st century.
By Esther Padmore Amonoo
