President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday evening returned to Accra after participating in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) Meeting in New York.
The President was met on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Briefing the media on the President’s UNGA trip, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesperson and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications, described the trip as a historic and highly successful participation in the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
He said the President had rounded off a visit which had placed Ghana right back at the centre of the international community and restored the nation’s role as a respected member of the international community.
Mr Ofosu said while away, President Mahama delivered an address to the UNGA, which was the highlight of his visits.
He noted that the address touched on important themes, such as amplifying Africa’s voice in international affairs through membership and active participation as one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
The Spokesman said the President reiterated longstanding calls from the continent of Africa for inclusion at the seat of the United Nations Security Council.
He noted that this was a call which was very well received across the continent and beyond.
He said the President’s address received wave reviews and many appreciated the dexterity and candor with which he delivered that address.
He noted in that address, President Mahama also reiterated his call for some attention to be paid to the issue of reparations arising from historical injustices perpetrated against Africa through slavery and colonialism.
“This is also a long running theme. And His Excellency the President added his voice in a manner that resonated across the continent and beyond,” Mr Ofosu said.
The Spokesman said the President also touched on the protracted conflicts between Israel and Palestine and demanded an end to hostilities, preservation of lives and property, and the restoration of normalcy.
He said the President drew attention to the horrors being suffered and called on international community to rally behind efforts to restore peace.
Mr Ofosu said the President also touched on the issue of migration, climate change, and water.
In all, it had been dubbed as one of the most remarkable standout speeches of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
He said aside from delivering the address, President Mahama also engaged in a number of high level bilateral meetings.
Mr Ofosu said the President had bilateral discussions with Mr Emmanuel Macron, the President of France on a wide range of issues bordering on relations between the two countries.
He said President Mahama also held bilateral discussions with Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on a number of important subjects.
He said President Mahama also met other heads of state in a marathon bilateral session and the heads of other international organizations.
Mr Ofosu said the President also launched what was known as the Accra Reset, as a side event.
He said the Accra Reset essentially envisioned agreement where Africa clawed back sovereignty in terms of financing healthcare and its own development.
This, he said was an initiative that had been subscribed to by prominent global figures like the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and many other notable personalities from around the world.
Mr Ofosu said it created a platform for a frank discussion of Africa’s financing needs and what homegrown approaches could be used to ensure that this was met.
He said the President also participated in the signing of a compact on the future of Africa’s energy security.
He said there were also side events on climate change and many other such events.
“So if I were to sum up, I would say that this has been a highly, highly successful trip to the United Nations General Assembly,” Mr Ofosu said.
It is one that will go down in history and place Ghana at the center of important discussions around the world.
He said in addition to all the diplomatic efforts, the President, did not miss the opportunity to showcase Ghana as an investment destination.
Mr Ofosu said President held a roundtable meeting with various investors at the headquarters of NASDAQ right in the middle of Times Square; stating that discussions were highly fruitful.
“There were numerous companies, some of whom have already invested in Ghana and others who were interested in exploring investment opportunities.”
He said the President made an important pitch to them and sold Ghana as a credible investment destination and gave reasons why investments here would be safe and will yield dividends.
The Spokesman said President also took time to meet members of the Ghanaian community who also put across concerns they had and how they believed the Government could help address them.
GNA
