By Makiza Micheline Latifa
Accra — Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for far-reaching reforms to the global governance and financial systems, urging the United Nations to evolve into a more “agile, representative, and responsive” institution that reflects the realities of the 21st century.
Speaking at a high-level dialogue held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the Minister emphasized that the world’s current challenges demand “renewed commitment, innovation, and unity of purpose,” rather than a retreat from the multilateral framework that has underpinned international cooperation since the founding of the United Nations eighty years ago.
The event, which formed part of Ghana’s week-long observance of UN@80, convened UN officials, diplomats, development partners, youth representatives and civil society to reflect on the future of multilateralism and financing for sustainable development in an increasingly fragmented global order.
In his remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, H.E. Zia Choudhury, paid tribute to Ghana’s longstanding role within the UN system. He commended the country as “a consistent and reliable partner through peacekeeping, development cooperation, and steadfast advocacy for global solidarity.
Rising Global Tensions and Renewed Commitment
Delivering the keynote address Hon. Ablakwa highlighted that the world is now witnessing deepening polarization, widening inequalities and a fraying trust in global institutions.
“The very foundations of this system are being tested as never before,” he cautioned. “From protracted conflicts to global health crises, from climate emergencies to cyber insecurity and attacks on humanitarian personnel, our shared challenges have become increasingly multifaceted and interdependent.”
Citing alarming data showing an increase in attacks on humanitarian workers in 2024 and early 2025, Hon. Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to protecting humanitarian personnel. He recalled joining over 100 countries in signing the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel during the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York last month.
Reform of the United Nations System
A major portion of Hon. Ablakwa’s address focused on the urgent need for institutional reform within the United Nations, particularly the Security Council.
Quoting President John Dramani Mahama’s recent address to the UN General Assembly, he reiterated that “the UN founding charter is outdated when it comes to representation,” stressing that “a continent as large and as significant as Africa must have at least one permanent seat on the Security Council.”
“Reform of the Security Council remains paramount if we are to restore legitimacy, equity, and trust in global decision-making,” the Minister asserted.
He further called for deeper coordination between the UN and regional bodies such as the African Union, ASEAN, the European Union, and CARICOM, arguing that “peacebuilding, development, and humanitarian initiatives must be locally informed and regionally owned.”
Financing for Development and Global Financial Justice
Turning to the issue of global finance, Hon. Ablakwa described the current international financial system as “structurally inequitable,” trapping developing nations in cycles of unsustainable debt while denying them fair access to capital and trade.
“We demand not only a reform of the Security Council but also a reset of the global financial architecture, which is currently rigged against Africa,” he declared, echoing President Mahama’s recent call at the UN General Assembly.
He urged the IMF and World Bank to reform their voting structures and governance mechanisms to give developing economies a meaningful role in global decision-making.
Climate Action and Global Solidarity
Hon. Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the global climate agenda, stressing that access to adequate climate finance is “not a privilege but a lifeline” for small island and least developed countries.
“Through the Paris Agreement, the Green Climate Fund, and the newly established Loss and Damage Fund, we must ensure that those most affected by climate change receive the support they need to build resilience and safeguard their futures,” he said.
“In doing so, the United Nations can reaffirm its role as the cornerstone of global solidarity.”
A Call to Action
As the dialogue concluded, the Minister urged participants to approach the discussions with a shared sense of purpose and renewed commitment to collective action.
The UN’s 80th anniversary commemoration highlights the Organization’s enduring relevance as a platform for global cooperation amid intensifying geopolitical and socio-economic challenges. Ghana, a founding member of the UN, continues to play a significant role in peacekeeping, development, and advocacy for a more equitable international order.