President Mahama Leads High-Level Delegation to 80th UN General Assembly
President John Dramani Mahama has departed Accra for New York, heading a high-level Ghanaian delegation to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), which opens on 23 September 2025. The delegation will remain in New York until 30 September.
As Ghana’s Head of State and in his capacity as the African Union’s Champion for Financial Institutions, President Mahama has a busy agenda lined up. He is scheduled to deliver Ghana’s address before the General Assembly on Thursday, 25 September.
In addition to the plenary UNGA sessions, President Mahama will host two side-events focused on Africa’s economic and institutional development—undertakings linked to his AU role. Bilateral meetings are also on the schedule, in which he will meet with the UN Secretary-General, various heads of state, as well as global leaders including the President of the Rockefeller Foundation.
One of the more symbolic engagements is a scheduled appearance at the NASDAQ stock exchange, where President Mahama is expected to ring the closing bell. He will also engage with the US-Africa Chamber of Commerce in discussions likely to touch on trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama is part of the delegation and will take part in events organised by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). She is also set to deliver the keynote address at a World Vision International prayer service dedicated to children globally.
The delegation includes senior government officials: Chief of Staff Julius Debrah; Dr Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President; Special Aide and Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari; Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Finance and Administration, also Technical Adviser to the First Lady, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo; Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh; Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu; Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare; and the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Simon Madjie.
This outing underscores Ghana’s commitment to engaging with global governance platforms, especially in matters of finance, institutional strengthening, trade, and children’s welfare. By combining bilaterals, economic diplomacy, and civil society engagements, the Mahama administration seeks to leverage UNGA 80 as more than a diplomatic ritual—rather as a platform for actionable partnerships and visibility.
Ghana expects that the President’s address and related engagements will spotlight issues central to national development: strengthening financial systems in Africa, mobilizing investments, improving healthcare, securing children’s welfare, and forging stronger international cooperation. The trip also serves to deepen Ghana’s footprint in continental and global policy dialogues.