President John Dramani Mahama has called for a stronger, more action-oriented Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), urging member states to transform the organisation’s founding principles into practical measures that promote peace, national sovereignty, sustainable development and global justice.
President Mahama made the call in Belgrade, Serbia, during the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, where he emphasised the continued relevance of the movement in an increasingly fragmented and multipolar global environment.
Mahama Highlights Ghana’s Role in Non-Aligned Movement
The Ghanaian President recalled Ghana’s historic contribution to the formation of NAM, highlighting the role played by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, at the landmark Belgrade Conference in 1961.
Dr. Nkrumah was among the influential leaders who joined Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt and Sukarno of Indonesia in promoting the sovereignty and independence of newly emerging nations during the Cold War.
President Mahama referenced Dr. Nkrumah’s famous foreign policy declaration: “We neither face east or west, we face forward.”
According to Mahama, the statement reflected Ghana’s determination to maintain an independent foreign policy, establish constructive relations with countries across the world and avoid being drawn into rival geopolitical blocs.
Mahama Warns of Growing Global Challenges
President Mahama said that although the Cold War era has ended, developing countries continue to face challenges that can undermine their strategic autonomy and economic independence.
He identified renewed geopolitical rivalry, economic vulnerabilities, unequal access to finance and technology, climate change and the limited representation of the Global South in international decision-making among the major issues facing developing countries.
He therefore urged NAM to strengthen its role as a collective voice for peace, dialogue, disarmament, development and international justice.
Mahama stressed that non-alignment should not be confused with remaining neutral when countries face injustice, armed conflict or violations of international law.
“We must neither be silent spectators of global developments nor instruments of competing geopolitical interests,” he said.
Ghana President Calls for Stronger NAM Cooperation
The President called for greater coordination among NAM member states, particularly within the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.
He argued that the influence of the Non-Aligned Movement should not be measured only by its large membership but also by its ability to achieve coordinated diplomatic results on major international issues.
According to Mahama, stronger cooperation could help NAM members influence discussions on global peace, international security, development financing, trade, climate change and reform of the global financial system.
Mahama Highlights Ghana’s Reparations Campaign
President Mahama also highlighted Ghana’s leadership in the global campaign for reparatory justice, pointing to the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250 on March 25, 2026.
He said the resolution recognised the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised system of chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
The resolution received 123 votes in favour, following cooperation involving the African Union, CARICOM and the African diaspora.
Mahama thanked NAM member states for their support, describing the outcome as evidence of the impact that collective international action can have.
As the African Union Champion for Reparations, Ghana, he said, would continue working to advance the global reparations agenda.
Ghana to Advance Reparatory Justice Agenda
The President also recalled the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice, which Ghana hosted in Accra in June.
The conference broadened discussions on historical injustice to include indentured labour and established three key institutions:
- A High-Level Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice
- A Global Experts Panel on Restitution of Cultural Heritage
- A Global Legal Panel on Reparatory Justice
Mahama said Ghana intends to use a side event during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in September to receive progress reports from the three bodies.
He also invited other African leaders to participate in the discussions.
Mahama Calls for Action on Sudan and Gaza
President Mahama called for greater international attention to ongoing conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, particularly in Sudan and Gaza.
He described Sudan as facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced, widespread hunger and serious violations against civilians.
The President called for sustained diplomatic engagement, increased humanitarian assistance and renewed international efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.
On Gaza, Mahama said the humanitarian situation remained catastrophic and called for the protection of civilians as well as full and unhindered humanitarian access.
He also reiterated Ghana’s opposition to the selective application of the principles contained in the United Nations Charter.
Mahama Pushes for Economic Sovereignty
President Mahama further argued that political independence must be supported by economic capacity and resource sovereignty.
He criticised the global economic system in which many developing countries export raw materials while importing finished products, despite bearing significant environmental and social costs associated with resource extraction.
He urged NAM members to strengthen cooperation in areas including development financing, international trade, climate action, debt management, technology and global financial architecture reform.
According to Mahama, greater economic cooperation is necessary to help developing countries achieve sustainable growth and reduce their vulnerability to external economic pressures.
Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence
The Ghanaian President also called for a united international response to climate change, citing droughts, desertification, floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events as evidence of the growing global threat.
He said NAM must adapt to emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, digital inequality and widening development gaps.
Mahama argued that developing countries must have a stronger voice in shaping the rules governing new technologies and the global digital economy.
Mahama Urges NAM to Renew Spirit of Belgrade
Quoting former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, who addressed the inaugural Non-Aligned Movement summit in Belgrade in 1961, Mahama said developing nations could no longer afford to remain passive observers in global affairs.
He said the principle remains relevant 65 years later as developing countries seek greater representation and influence in international decision-making.
President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to multilateralism and pledged to work with NAM member states to promote a fairer international system in which the interests of the Global South receive greater attention.
He concluded by urging member states to renew the spirit of Belgrade and convert the collective strength of the Non-Aligned Movement into practical benefits for its people.
“Neither East nor West, but forward together,” Mahama said, calling for collective action towards a more peaceful, just and equitable international order.
Source: newsthemegh.com