President Mahama Leaves Accra for 81st UN General Assembly in New York
President John Dramani Mahama is in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to lead discussions on global development, reparatory justice and Ghana’s role in international affairs.
By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
September 22, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has travelled from Accra to New York to participate in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), joining world leaders for a week of high-level diplomatic engagements.
The President departed Accra on Saturday, September 19, according to a statement from the Presidency. This year’s UN General Assembly is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”
President Mahama’s programme includes participation in the General Debate, high-level meetings with international leaders and engagements aimed at promoting Ghana’s economic and diplomatic interests.
Accra Reset takes centre stage
One of the major events on President Mahama’s agenda is the Accra Reset, a Ghana-led initiative focused on addressing structural challenges within the global development system.
On Monday, September 21, the President hosted a high-level event under the theme “Full Circle: Making Global Development Work Again.”
The event brought together international leaders and stakeholders to discuss reforms to global development cooperation and ways of giving countries in the Global South greater control over their development priorities.
At the event, Mahama presented the final report of the High-Level Panel on the Accra Reset, titled “A Sovereign Future for Health.” The report calls for changes in how global health governance, financing and decision-making are organised.
Mahama said the initiative had moved from policy design towards implementation, arguing that countries should have meaningful control over the decisions and resources that shape their development.
Reparatory justice on the agenda
The President is also scheduled to host another high-level side event on Wednesday, September 23, focusing on reparatory justice.
The event, titled “From Commitments to Action on Reparatory Justice: Advancing International Cooperation for the Return and Restitution of Cultural Properties and Heritage,” is expected to examine international cooperation on the return of cultural objects and heritage taken from their countries of origin.
The issue forms part of Ghana’s wider engagement on historical justice and the position of African countries in discussions about restitution and reparations.
Mahama to address UN General Debate
President Mahama is scheduled to deliver Ghana’s official statement during the main UN General Debate on Thursday, September 24.
His address is expected to provide Ghana’s position on major international and development issues while highlighting the country’s priorities within the global system.
Beyond the UN programme, the President is scheduled to hold meetings with other heads of state, the UN Secretary-General, business executives and representatives of the Ghanaian diaspora.
Investment and business engagements
President Mahama’s New York programme also includes activities aimed at promoting Ghana as an investment destination.
He is expected to ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell and participate in a US-Ghana Presidential Roundtable organised by the US-Africa Chamber of Commerce.
The President is also scheduled to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations and participate in the Ocean Panel Leaders’ Meeting.
These engagements form part of efforts by the government to strengthen international partnerships and attract investment into Ghana.
Engagement with Ghanaians in New York
President Mahama is also expected to meet members of the Ghanaian community in New York.
A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 25, where he is expected to provide updates on his vision for national development and engage directly with Ghanaians living in the United States.
The President is accompanied on the trip by First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, other Cabinet ministers, senior officials from the Presidency and government officials.
President Mahama’s participation in the 81st UN General Assembly comes as Ghana seeks to play a more prominent role in discussions on global development, Africa’s interests, international cooperation and reparatory justice.
