President John Dramani Mahama will address the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 24 September 2026. This address will be the 25th General Debate address by a Ghanaian president. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, delivered the first address on 23 September 1960. Mahama’s planned appearance comes 66 years later.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media, tracing Ghana’s presidential appearances at the Assembly. The list records 24 presidential addresses up to the 80th session in 2025. Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo leads with eight addresses between 2017 and 2024. Former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Mahama have delivered six addresses each.
Former President John Evans Atta Mills addressed the General Debate twice. Nkrumah and former President Jerry John Rawlings made one appearance each. According to the post, 38 years passed between Nkrumah’s address and Rawlings’ appearance on 22 September 1998. The ministry stressed that Ghana remained represented at the UN during that period.
The ministry noted that Ghanaian presidents have consistently maintained a presence at the UN General Assembly. During the period without a presidential address, foreign ministers Ako Adjei and Kojo Botsio and other senior officials represented the country. Mahama previously addressed the General Debate in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2025.
Mahama’s address on Thursday would be his seventh and would bring the total number of presidential addresses listed by the ministry to 25. The ministry’s post says seven Ghanaian presidents have addressed the General Debate, but the six presidents it names account for all 24 appearances in its list. This notable presence underscores Ghana's active engagement in global affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Ghana's consistent participation in the UN General Assembly. This engagement reflects the country's commitment to international diplomacy and cooperation. As Mahama prepares to take the stage, Ghanaian leaders' contributions to global dialogue are being acknowledged.
Mahama’s address is expected to focus on key global issues. His previous addresses emphasized Ghana’s role in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development. The event provides a platform for leaders to share their perspectives and address pressing global challenges.
Key points
- President John Dramani Mahama will deliver the 25th General Debate address by a Ghanaian president at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
- The address will be Mahama’s seventh appearance at the General Debate.
- Ghanaian presidents have consistently maintained a presence at the UN General Assembly, with 24 recorded addresses up to the 80th session.
