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President Akufo-Addo calls for bold reforms at UN “Summit of the Future”
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In a stirring address at the United Nations “Summit of the Future” held at the UN Headquarters in New York, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a passionate call for global unity, urging world leaders to adopt multilateral solutions to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change, inequality, and global governance reform.
Speaking to an assembly of Heads of State, government officials, and delegates from around the world, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the urgency of collective action, stating that the future is no longer distant but is here and now, shaped by the decisions made in this crucial moment.
“Our theme, ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,’ reminds us that no nation, no matter how powerful, can solve today’s challenges alone,” the President remarked.
He highlighted the global nature of current crises, from the climate emergency to terrorism, noting that these problems transcend national boundaries and require global cooperation.
President Akufo-Addo’s speech strongly condemned the resurgence of “irrational isolationism and blind nationalism” in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the pandemic had revealed the interconnectedness of all nations and demonstrated that unilateral approaches to global challenges are doomed to failure.
At the heart of the President’s address was the growing climate crisis, with a particular focus on Africa’s disproportionate suffering. Despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, Africa continues to bear the brunt of the devastating effects of climate change, from severe flooding to increasing desertification. He issued a clarion call for “climate justice,” insisting that Africa should not continue to pay the price for a crisis it did not create.
“We are told to ‘adapt’ and ‘be resilient,’ but how does one adapt to famine, or build resilience when farmers cannot predict the seasons?” President Akufo-Addo questioned. He went on to demand fairness and equity in the global fight against climate change, stressing that Africa’s need is for justice, not charity.
The President also addressed the widening inequality between rich and poor nations, underscoring that over 700 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, deprived of basic human rights. “The pandemic exacerbated this inequality, pushing millions more into poverty, while the wealth of the richest soared. This is unsustainable, and it is immoral,” he stated. He called for a new global economic order, one that promotes inclusivity and ensures that no nation is left behind.
One of the key issues raised by President Akufo-Addo was the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council, which he described as an “outdated, post-Second World War relic.” He highlighted the glaring underrepresentation of Africa, home to 1.4 billion people, in the Council and called for the implementation of the Ezulwini Consensus, which outlines Africa’s position on UN reform.
“Africa’s voice must be heard in shaping the future of global peace and security,” the President stated firmly, adding that the current global governance structure is rooted in an unjust and unequal world order.
He called for bold reforms that would ensure every nation, regardless of its size or wealth, has an equal voice on the world stage.
In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo urged leaders to act with urgency and determination, noting that future generations would judge the current leadership by its actions.
“The world is watching. The future is watching. We cannot be the generation that stood by as the world burned, while inequality widened, and promises of justice went unfulfilled,” he added.
With a resounding call for bold, decisive action, President Akufo-Addo’s address encapsulated the spirit of the summit’s theme, “multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow—and challenged the international community to rise to the occasion.”
As the world continues to grapple with crises that demand global solutions, the President’s speech served as a reminder of the necessity of cooperation and the shared responsibility to secure a better future for all.
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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