President Akufo-Addo at UN General Assembly....Security Council needs overhaul - Structure deficient in addressing global challenges

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his call for an urgent overhaul of the United Nations Security Council, describing its current structure as outdated, unrepresentative and insufficient to address the global challenges of today’s world.

Speaking at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States of America, the Ghanaian leader emphasised the need for inclusivity and fairness within the council, arguing that the existing framework was no longer fit for purpose.

"The structure of the UN Security Council reflects a world that no longer exists," President Akufo-Addo stated, adding that “its failure to act in times of crisis raises a difficult question: what is the purpose of the Security Council if it cannot intervene when the world needs it most?"

Context

The Security Council, established in 1945, was created in a post-World War II context, with five permanent members holding veto power – the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France.

While these nations were the dominant global powers at the time, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically, with regions such as Africa, Latin America and South Asia becoming increasingly influential.

Yet, these regions remain underrepresented on the council, a fact President Akufo-Addo described as "incomprehensible."

"Africa, a continent of 1.4 billion people, has no permanent voice in shaping decisions that affect global peace and security," he lamented.

"The time for half measures is over. We need a Security Council that is fit for purpose in today’s world," President Akufo-Addo said.

The President’s remarks reflect the growing frustration among many countries in the Global South which feel marginalised in key decision-making processes at the United Nations.

The Ezulwini Consensus, a unified African position on UN reform, advocates two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, with veto powers, as well as five non-permanent seats.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated his strong support for the consensus, which has gained increasing traction in recent years.

"For years, I have championed the need to reform the Security Council as per the Ezulwini Consensus," he stated.

"It is heartening that the demand for reform has found acceptance by leaders of two of the Five Permanent Members — President Joe Biden of the United States of America, and President Emmanuel Macron of France. Hopefully, the others will soon follow suit," the President added.

Lacklust response

President Akufo-Addo also pointed to the Security Council’s lacklust response to several ongoing global crises, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza.

"Millions of lives have been uprooted, thousands have lost their lives, and yet the Security Council has struggled to respond decisively," he said.

"What is the purpose of the Security Council if it cannot intervene when the world needs it most," he asked.

Beyond the immediate need for reform, President Akufo-Addo stressed the broader implications of an inclusive, equitable global governance system.

"The current structure, created in 1945, no longer reflects the realities of today’s geopolitical and economic landscape," he said.

"This lack of representation undermines the legitimacy of the Council’s decisions, and the use of veto power by a few permanent members often paralyses its ability to act effectively during crises," the President added.

He called for a Security Council that was "more inclusive, democratic and responsive to the complex challenges we face today."

President Akufo-Addo’s call for reform also comes at a time when the role of multilateral institutions such as the UN is being scrutinised in an increasingly polarised world.

With rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts across the globe, the effectiveness of the UN, particularly the Security Council, has been a subject of debate.

Many argue that the council’s current structure, with its emphasis on the interests of the five permanent members, had led to a paralysis in decision-making, especially during moments of crisis.

Ghana’s peacekeeping contributions

In addition to his focus on the Security Council, President Akufo-Addo also touched on Ghana’s contributions to global peacekeeping efforts, particularly in Africa.

"We have often borne the brunt of conflicts, sending our troops to peacekeeping missions with limited support from the global community," he said.

"While I am pleased to see the UN taking steps to finance peacekeeping in Africa, an outcome of Ghana’s presidency of the UN Security Council, we must go further," the President stated.

President Akufo-Addo argued that peacekeeping alone was not enough and called for a more comprehensive approach to building peace; one that addressed the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality and the lack of opportunity.

"True peace comes from investing in education, health care and economic development," he said.

As he nears the end of his tenure as President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo’s impassioned call for reform and inclusivity within the global system underscores his legacy as a leader committed to a fairer and more just world.

His vision for a reformed Security Council that reflects the realities of today’s world, particularly the inclusion of Africa, aligns with Ghana’s broader advocacy for global equity and justice.

As the world looks to the future, President Akufo-Addo’s message is clear: "The world has changed, and the Security Council must change with it to maintain its relevance in promoting global peace and security."