“We are tired of enduring image of impoverished communities living beside resource wealth” — Prez. Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana delivered a stirring address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, calling for an urgent global shift in how Africa is perceived and how its resources are managed.

In one of the most poignant moments of his speech, President Mahama declared “We are tired of the enduring image of impoverished, disease-ridden rural communities living in the shadows of resource-rich lands controlled by foreign hands.”

His words drew attention to the paradox that continues to define many African nations — immense natural wealth existing alongside widespread poverty and underdevelopment.

President Mahama emphasized that Africa’s current economic realities are rooted in a history of exploitation, where the value of African lives was once defined by colonizers and institutions that compensated former slave owners — not the enslaved — after abolition.

“That so-called ‘property’ they were compensated for,” he said, “was our ancestors.”

He noted that the current global context — marked by rising defense budgets among the world's richest countries and a steep decline in humanitarian assistance — demands that African nations take bold steps toward economic sovereignty.

Since July 2024, humanitarian aid has reportedly declined by 40 percent, a development Mahama described as alarming, especially for vulnerable populations.

The Ghanaian leader called for a new era in African resource governance — one that rejects the old model of "parceling out vast concession areas to foreign interests for exploitation."

“Yes, we welcome foreign investment,” Mahama affirmed, “but we must negotiate better. We must insist on a fairer share of the wealth that lies beneath our soil. And we must ensure value addition — no more exporting raw materials without the benefits of processing and innovation at home.”

Mr. Mahama’s address also touched on the need to reshape how Africa is seen and represented on the world stage.

“We are tired of others taking the most from us and giving the least in return — not even respect, not even dignity,” he said.

“We are tired of narratives that fail to capture the richness of our history or the strength we’ve summoned to reach this moment — a moment full of untold possibilities.”

Quoting Indian-American writer Arundhati Roy, he shared a note of hope “Another world is not only possible. She is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

In a personal and emotional reflection, President Mahama spoke about his 18-year-old daughter, expressing his hope for a world that guarantees safety, dignity, and equality for all women and girls.

He emphasized that empowering women and girls must be a global priority in building a better future.

Mr. Mahama used the occasion to celebrate significant milestones in gender representation, congratulating the newly elected President of the General Assembly — the fifth woman to hold that role — and extending warm praise to Her Excellency Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who recently made history as Ghana’s first woman Vice President.

“Now, every Ghanaian girl knows the heights to which she can rise,” he stated.

He ended his address with a call for greater representation of women at the highest levels of global leadership, including the position of UN Secretary-General, which has never been held by a woman.

President Mahama’s speech was met with applause in the General Assembly Hall, with many delegates describing it as one of the most compelling African voices heard at this year’s UN gathering.

His remarks come at a time when Africa’s future — politically, economically, and socially — remains at the center of global conversations about justice, sustainability, and inclusion.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith