President John Dramani Mahama has called on members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to ensure that non-alignment is not mistaken for neutrality in the face of injustice, conflict or violations of international law.
Speaking at the 65th Anniversary High-Level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, Serbia, on September 1, President Mahama said NAM remains relevant in addressing the political, economic and developmental challenges confronting the world.
He said the movement must continue to promote peace, sovereignty, sustainable development and a fairer international economic order.
President Mahama stressed that Ghana’s understanding of non-alignment is based on principled and active engagement rather than passivity.
According to him, the movement must resist pressure from competing geopolitical blocs while maintaining an independent collective voice on global issues.
He said NAM should strengthen cooperation among developing countries and advance common positions on issues including development, finance, trade, climate change, debt, technology and reforms to the global financial system.
Mahama calls for stronger collective action
The President urged member states to move beyond declarations and translate the movement’s principles into practical action.
He said stronger coordination among NAM members, particularly within the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, would enable developing countries to have greater influence on global decisions.
President Mahama also highlighted Ghana’s role in securing the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution on March 25, 2026, condemning the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised system of chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
He expressed appreciation to NAM members for supporting the resolution, describing their solidarity as evidence of the impact of collective action.
Ghana raises concerns over global conflicts
President Mahama also drew attention to ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises, particularly in Sudan and Gaza.
He called for sustained international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where millions of people have been displaced and civilians continue to face hunger and serious violations.
On Gaza, he called for the protection of civilians and full and unhindered humanitarian access, while rejecting what he described as the selective application of the principles of the United Nations Charter.
He also reiterated Ghana’s opposition to the long-standing economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, arguing that unilateral coercive measures undermine sovereign equality and the principles of the UN Charter.
Mahama advocates economic independence for developing countries
The President said political independence must be accompanied by the economic capacity for countries to pursue their own national priorities.
He called for greater resource sovereignty and criticised the continued dependence of Global South countries on exporting raw materials while importing finished products.
According to him, African and other developing countries must derive greater economic value from their natural resources while reducing the environmental and social costs associated with extraction.
Climate change and development remain priorities
President Mahama identified climate change as another area requiring stronger collective action from NAM members.
He pointed to wildfires, droughts, desertification and flooding in different parts of the world as evidence of the growing impact of climate change.
He called on member states to speak with a united voice in advocating for stronger climate action.
Concluding his address, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with NAM members to strengthen multilateralism, promote a fairer international system and amplify the voice of the Global South.
He said the movement’s future direction should remain guided by the principle: “Neither East nor West, but forward together.”
By:Rachael Djabakie