President John Mahama's recent address at the United Nations General Assembly has garnered widespread acclaim, being hailed as a pivotal moment for African diplomacy. Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the African Union’s High Representative for Silencing the Guns, and Prof Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a former UN Senior Government Advisor, both praised the speech for its eloquence, comprehensiveness, and boldness in addressing critical global issues.

Dr Chambas, speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on September 29, expressed immense satisfaction with President Mahama’s delivery, stating, “I’ll be frank with you, I was really pleased with the speech that I reached out to Mr President to tell him how proud he had made us, all Ghanaians, all Africans, for a speech very eloquently and very well delivered.” He lauded the address for its outstanding quality, eloquence, and content, affirming that “it ticked all the boxes.” According to Dr Chambas, President Mahama adeptly balanced national concerns with regional issues, reinforcing Ghana’s traditional role as a strong voice for Africa. He also commended the President for tackling pressing international challenges, including the decline of multilateralism, ongoing conflicts, climate change, and migration, all within a delivery that was both comprehensive and engaging.

Echoing this sentiment, Prof Agyeman-Duah described President Mahama’s speech as the "boldest" he had heard from an African leader in a considerable period. He asserted that the address at the 80th UN General Assembly revived the spirit of post-independence African leadership, drawing parallels to figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere who courageously championed Africa’s cause on the global stage. Prof Agyeman-Duah highlighted a perceived timidity among some contemporary African leaders, suggesting it stems from fear or dependence, but praised Mahama for breaking this silence with a direct and impactful style. He was particularly impressed by President Mahama's metaphor: “If that bird cracks like a duck and looks like a duck and walks like one, please, let’s say it’s a duck.”

The former UN advisor noted that President Mahama fearlessly tackled thorny topics, including the inequitable treatment of African migrants by Western countries and the exploitative practices of international financial agencies. Critically, Mahama used the platform to assert Africa's growing global significance, projecting that by 2050, Africans will constitute over 25 percent of the world’s population and one-third of its youth, declaring emphatically, “The future is African.”

Furthermore, President Mahama directly challenged the antiquated nature of global institutions. He argued that the UN Charter is "outdated when it comes to representation," advocating for permanent African seats on the Security Council and mechanisms to counterbalance veto power. He also demanded a "reset" of multilateral systems, asserting that the current global financial architecture is fundamentally skewed against the African continent. Prof Agyeman-Duah views Mahama’s address as a defining moment, signalling a return to assertive African diplomacy and Ghana’s intent to lead the continent’s push for justice and equity on the world stage.