President John Dramani Mahama has called for a stronger and more coordinated voice for the Global South, arguing that the principles that inspired Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, remain relevant in today’s increasingly fragmented world.
Addressing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, President Mahama said developing countries must strengthen their collective influence in shaping global affairs rather than remain passive observers of decisions that affect their future.
He said the changing global order, marked by renewed geopolitical competition, economic vulnerabilities and unequal access to finance and technology, continues to place pressure on the strategic independence of developing countries.
“ In an increasingly fragmented and multipolar world, the non-aligned movement must preserve its strategic autonomy and resist the pressures of the politics of power blocs,” President Mahama said.
He argued that NAM must not become an instrument of competing geopolitical interests, but should serve as an independent collective voice for peace, dialogue, disarmament, development and justice.
Nkrumah was among the leaders who gave political expression to the Non-Aligned Movement at the historic 1961 Belgrade Conference, alongside Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Indonesian President Sukarno.
President Mahama recalled Nkrumah’s declaration that Ghana would “neither face east or west” but “face forward”, describing it as a clear statement of Ghana’s determination to pursue an independent foreign policy.
Ghana, he said, chose to maintain relations with all countries while resisting pressure to become aligned with either of the competing Cold War power blocs.
“We want to be friends of all and enemies to none,” President Mahama said.
But 65 years after the Belgrade Conference, President Mahama said the challenges facing developing countries have evolved.
He identified climate change, economic vulnerabilities, unequal access to finance and technology, and the under-representation of the Global South in international decision-making as some of the issues requiring stronger collective action.
He therefore called for greater coordination among NAM member states, particularly at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions where their interests converge.
According to him, the movement must strengthen cooperation on development, finance, trade, climate change, debt, technology and reforms to the global financial architecture.
President Mahama also cautioned that non-alignment should not be mistaken for neutrality in the face of injustice, armed conflict or violations of international law.
He said NAM remains relevant because of its ability to advance the interests of developing countries and contribute to a fairer and more equitable international system.
Ghana’s message, he said, is ultimately about ensuring that developing countries have a meaningful say in decisions shaping the international order.
