News
Mahama calls for urgent reform of UN Security Council at Munich security conference
President John Mahama has called for significant reform within the United Nations (UN), particularly the Security Council, which he described as “static, archaic, and moribund.”
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference 2025, on Friday, February 14, in Germany, Mr Mahama emphasised the need for the Security Council to adapt to the evolving global landscape, urging that it no longer reflects the realities of today’s world.
“I think that the UN itself has carried out many reforms in terms of trying to increase efficiencies that it has, but one place that has remained static, archaic, and moribund is the Security Council,” Mr Mahama stated.
He highlighted the persistent calls from the developing world for reform, arguing that the current structure of the Security Council fails to adequately represent the global community, particularly emerging nations.
At the heart of the reform discussion is the question of the veto power, which Mr Mahama identified as the primary obstacle to meaningful change.
“The veto should not be a stumbling block to adding new permanent members to the Security Council,” Mr Mahama argued.
He proposed that the first step towards reform should be an expansion of the council to include additional permanent members, with the veto issue to be addressed later.
For Mr Mahama, the need for reform is not only about addressing the interests of the developing world but also ensuring the UN’s relevance in an increasingly fragmented global environment.
“In order that they can respond to these challenges, the UN becomes more relevant even today in a fragmented world, because when there is fragmentism we need more multilateralism, more global cooperation,” he said.
“We have more challenges today, climate change and all that we need to work together, we can’t leave this planet,” he added
Mr Mahama concluded his remarks with a passionate plea for global unity in the face of pressing challenges.
“This is the only planet we have, the only way we can save this planet is when people are working together,” he said
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
