Ghana President 🇬🇭 at UN 🌐: "We want to build a Ghana which looks to the use of its own resources as the way to engineer social and economic growth in our country."

President Nana Akufo-Addo made his inaugural speech today at the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York. He talked about his work to develop Ghana's economy, being a nuclear weapon-free country and suggested reforms to the structure of the UN.

The President said his government is working to grow Ghana’s economy and, thereby, open up opportunities for the progress and prosperity of all Ghanaians.

Acknowledging that Ghana is nowhere near where it should be, his administration is determined to use the country’s full potential and make Ghana a prosperous nation.

"I believe we are making this progress in Ghana. After years of political turmoil and the accompanying economic chaos, a consensus has emerged in our Fourth Republic," he stated.

He said Ghanaians should no longer feel the need to subject themselves to "the intolerable and inhumane conditions of crossing the Sahara, and drowning in the Mediterranean, in the hope of making a living in Europe." Addo spoke passionately about a Ghana that is free of aid. "Long and bitter experience has taught us no matter how generous the charity, we would remain poor.

We want to build a Ghana which looks to the use of its own resources and their proper management as the way to engineer social and economic growth in our country. We want to build an economy that looks past commodities to position our country in the global marketplace."

President Akufo-Addo also spoke about building sustainable relationships. "In talking about sustainable relations, Africa, and, indeed, Ghana, remains committed to remaining a nuclear-weapon-free country.

Three weeks ago, highly-enriched uranium was flown out of Ghana back to China, signalling the end of the removal of all such material from the country."

Akufo-Addo also called for reforms at the UN saying it is "nothing new when I draw attention to the urgent need to reform this Organisation."

"Ghana supports the process of UN Reform, especially of the UN Security Council, as set out in Africa’s Common Position on UN Reform, based on the Ezulwini Consensus. The time is long overdue to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represent for the nations of Africa," he said.

"We cannot continue to preach democracy and fairness around the world, we cannot insist on peace and justice around the world, when our global organisation is not seen by the majority of its members as having a structure that is just and fair."

UCJ, UNILORIN.