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Prez Mahama calls for renewed, action-oriented Non-Aligned Movement
President John Dramani Mahama has called for a renewed and action-oriented Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), urging member states to protect their independence in decision-making and turn the movement’s resolutions into practical action.
Addressing the first Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, Serbia, on September 1, 2026, President Mahama recalled the words of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, at the movement’s founding conference in 1961.
He noted that 65 years later, the call for non-aligned countries to play an active role in resolving global challenges remains relevant.
President Mahama stressed that the strength of NAM should not be measured only by its large membership but also by its ability to work together on issues affecting its members and the wider world.
“We must strengthen consultation and coordination among member states, particularly within the United Nations and other multilateral institutions where our interests converge,” he urged.
He called for NAM summits and ministerial meetings to focus more on key issues where the movement can make a meaningful impact.
President Mahama pointed to Ghana’s recent role in securing international support for a resolution on the transatlantic slave trade as an example of what collective action can achieve.
He noted that on March 23, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/80/250, led by Ghana and supported by the African Union, recognising 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, and President Mahama expressed appreciation to NAM member states for their support.
On development, he argued that political independence must be supported by economic strength, stressing the need for countries in the Global South to have greater control over their natural resources.
“We cannot accept a global order in which countries of the Global South remain exporters of raw materials and importers of finished goods,” he stated.
He called for stronger collective action on climate change, pointing to fires in Southern Europe, drought and desertification in Africa, and floods in parts of Asia as evidence of the growing effects of climate change.
President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with NAM members to strengthen multilateralism, promote a fairer international system and give the Global South a stronger voice in global affairs.
He ended his address with a call for the movement to renew its founding spirit and work together with “principle, purpose and confidence” for the benefit of its people.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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