During his address at the 78th UN General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20, 2023, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo sharply criticized the double standards of developed nations, particularly in their dealings within the United Nations. He noted that these countries often advocate for democracy and human rights internationally, yet their actions within the UN can be self-serving, overshadowing the organization’s collective goals.
Akufo-Addo spoke from Ghana’s perspective as a current non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, marking the nation’s third term in the role since becoming the first post-colonial African country to join the UN 66 years ago. “It’s been a disappointing experience,” he said.
“These major powers may advocate for democracy and justice globally, but their actions within this organization often put their own interests ahead of broader humanitarian concerns.”
President Akufo-Addo accentuated the pressing issue of incongruence between the high-minded principles often espoused globally and the actual practice within key international institutions like the United Nations.
He underscored that the global community’s aspirations for values such as equality, good governance, peace, and justice ring hollow when the UN—supposed to be the vanguard of these ideals—is viewed as perpetuating an imbalanced and unjust global framework.
“The Assembly’s chosen theme aims to rebuild trust as a cornerstone for restoring global stability and prosperity,” Akufo-Addo stated. “However, this raises a significant question: How can we possibly foster renewed trust in a system when the UN, the very institution intended to unify our global efforts, maintains an inequitable, dysfunctional financial structure and an international order that many see as fundamentally unfair?”
The president’s comments shed light on the escalating frustration and disenchantment felt by many smaller or developing nations. They are increasingly questioning the efficacy and fairness of international bodies that were ostensibly designed to level the playing field but often appear to reinforce existing power imbalances.
In essence, Akufo-Addo’s critique calls for a comprehensive reform of these institutions, advocating for a more equitable representation and fair distribution of power and resources, to truly serve the interests of the global community rather than a select few.
SOURCE: GhanaWeb
