In a recent opinion piece published by African Newspage (OP-ED | Why Ghana Can Lead Africa on Reforming United Nations, By Tim Murithi – African Newspage | Reporting Africa’s Development), Prof. Tim Murithi — Senior Advisor to the Article 109 Coalition and Professor of African Studies at the University of the Free State and Stellenbosch University — makes the case that Ghana is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s push to reform the United Nations.
Ghana helped free Africa from colonial rule; it is now time for it to answer the call of history once again by leading the continent’s fight to end its historical exclusion from international institutions.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama speaks during a UN General Assembly session where a resolution on transatlantic slavery and reparations was adopted. [@S_OkudzetoAblak]
In March, Ghana successfully secured a landmark United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution recognising slavery as the “gravest crime” – a moral and political achievement that reaffirmed its authority on questions of justice, human dignity, and historical redress. This victory was not an isolated diplomatic success: it was the latest chapter in a long tradition of leadership that stretches from the anti-colonial liberation struggles of the twentieth century.
Ghana’s diplomatic efforts come as the world faces the unravelling of the multilateral system that was established after the Second World War, however. And this unravelling has grave impacts for Africa: deteriorating international peace and security has left the question of civil wars in Sudan, Somalia and Mozambique unanswered while global institutions fail to respond to the climate crisis – which is threatening to reverse developmental gains across the Global South – and artificial intelligence.
The UN is faltering at the seams; so much so that in today’s tumultuous world, supporting multilateralism means working to ensure its survival. Africa – with Ghana at the helm of the African Union in 2027 – has a historic opportunity to renew multilateralism and adapt the UN to the 21st century.
Ghana’s historic role
Ghana’s role in Africa’s liberation struggle is foundational to its moral authority. Under Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence, and transformed its sovereignty into a platform for continental emancipation. Ghana funded liberation movements and championed the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) through convening the first All-Africa People’s Conference in Accra in 1958.
Ghana’s Kofi Annan was the seventh UN Secretary-General: he championed conflict prevention, human rights and the rule of law, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in 2001, on behalf of the UN. Ghanaian troops have served with distinction in UN peacekeeping missions while Ghana was pivotal in the African Union declaration designating 2026-2035 as the Decade of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.
In March, Ghana achieved what was considered impossible: it mobilised support and successfully led the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution recognising slavery as the “gravest crime”. The resolution was adopted by 123 votes, demonstrating that Ghana can build coalitions across regions, navigate sensitive political terrain, and deliver results on issues of global significance.
Africa’s exclusion is no accident
Ghana’s role in Africa and around the world makes it is a trusted voice on how the UN should evolve. And this leadership is desperately needed: the UN Charter’s principles are being violated through Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s mass atrocities in Gaza, and the US’ strikes on Iran. These conflicts have not only led to a tragic loss of life; they have raised food and energy prices across Africa.
Failings in international security are also directly impacting Africa. The Sahel region remains a volatile terrain with the threat of the spread of violent extremism into Western Africa. Sudan, Somalia and Mozambique do not garner the required attention on the international stage.
This should come as no surprise. Africa is excluded from playing decisive role in major bodies. The continent – representing 18% of the world’s population and 28% of the UN’s membership – does not have a permanent seat on the Security Council, for example. But this is equally unsurprising: only four African countries were invited to the San Francisco Conference in 1945, where the UN Charter was drafted and signed. The majority of the continent was still under colonial oppression at the time.
Africa’s ongoing struggle for equal representation and participation in multilateral institutions – in the UN but also in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank – is a continuation of the same struggle to transform the structures that marginalise African voices.
Ghana can help build the future
It is clear that international institutions are failing Africa – and have long sustained colonial imbalances of power. This was something that was recognised in the Pact for the Future, where all 193 UN Member States agreed to reform the UN and ensure Africa is better represented.
Efforts to do so have faltered, however; including the 17-year Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) process, where the African Union has long-promoted Africa’s demand for better representation on the Security Council. A Ghanaian-led diplomatic initiative is precisely what Africa needs in the push for the adoption of Article 109 in the UN General Assembly.
Article 109 is the UN’s built-in mechanism for renewal: once invoked, it allows for a General Conference to be held to review the UN Charter and usher in the reforms that are desperately needed. This includes African demands on representation and equity, as well as ensuring the UN can respond to pressing challenges; in peace and security, climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic inequalities.
While Ghana can lead – it would not be alone. The Gambia and South Africa already support invoking Article 109. They are joined by others that support renewing the UN Charter: Brazil, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Macedonia.
Ghana helped free Africa from colonial rule. It can now once again answer the call of history to lead Africa in freeing the continent from its historical exclusion in international institutions. As Kofi Annan said in 2003: “The time has long since arrived to look hard at the institutions of the United Nations – and, if necessary, to make radical reforms.” This is now long overdue.
Prof. Tim Murithi is Senior Advisor, Article 109 Coalition and Professor, African Studies, University of Free State and Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.