From Nkrumah to Mahama: Ghana Set for 25th Presidential Address at UNGA

President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to address the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in what is expected to become Ghana’s 25th presidential appearance at the Assembly’s General Debate.

The historic occasion will mark 66 years since Ghana’s first presidential address to the United Nations, delivered by the country’s founding President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, on September 23, 1960.

According to the historical account, Ghanaian Presidents had collectively addressed the General Assembly 24 times as of the 80th Session in 2025.

Mahama’s scheduled appearance will increase that number to 25, continuing a tradition of presidential participation in one of the United Nations’ major annual diplomatic gatherings.

Nkrumah began Ghana’s presidential UNGA tradition in 1960

Ghana’s participation at the presidential level began during the tenure of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who addressed the Assembly on September 23, 1960, at its 5th Session.

However, it took 38 years before another Ghanaian President personally mounted the UNGA podium.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings delivered Ghana’s next presidential address on September 22, 1998, during the 53rd Session.

The lengthy interval between the two appearances does not mean Ghana was absent from the United Nations during those years.

Historical records cited in the account indicate that Ghana continued to be represented by other senior government officials.

For instance, Ako Adjei, Ghana’s then Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed the Assembly in 1961, while Kojo Botsio, who also served as Foreign Affairs Minister, addressed it in 1963.

In other years, High-Level Government Officials represented the country and delivered statements.

Kufuor delivered six presidential addresses

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor addressed the General Assembly six times during his presidency.

His appearances were recorded at the following sessions:

* September 13, 2002 – 57th Session
* September 24, 2003 – 58th Session
* September 17, 2005 – 60th Session
* September 19, 2006 – 61st Session
* September 25, 2007 – 62nd Session
* September 24, 2008 – 63rd Session

Kufuor’s appearances formed a significant part of Ghana’s presidential participation in the General Debate during the Fourth Republic.

Atta Mills addressed the Assembly twice

Former President John Evans Atta Mills delivered Ghana’s address to the General Assembly on two occasions.

He spoke on September 24, 2009, during the 64th Session, and returned to the podium on September 23, 2011, at the 66th Session.

His appearances continued Ghana’s presidential participation following Kufuor’s tenure.

Mahama’s previous six appearances

President John Dramani Mahama has previously addressed the General Assembly six times, according to the supplied historical account.

His previous appearances were:

* September 26, 2012 – 67th Session
* September 26, 2013 – 68th Session
* September 25, 2014 – 69th Session
* September 30, 2015 – 70th Session
* September 21, 2016 – 71st Session
* September 25, 2025 – 80th Session

His scheduled address on September 24, 2026, will mark his seventh appearance based on the dates listed.

The address will also add to the cumulative number of presidential appearances attributed to Ghana since Nkrumah’s first speech in 1960.

Akufo-Addo recorded eight appearances

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered Ghana’s address to the General Assembly eight times during his presidency.

His appearances were recorded as follows:

* September 21, 2017 – 72nd Session
* September 26, 2018 – 73rd Session
* September 25, 2019 – 74th Session
* September 21, 2020 – 75th Session
* September 22, 2021 – 76th Session
* September 21, 2022 – 77th Session
* September 20, 2023 – 78th Session
* September 25, 2024 – 79th Session

The eight addresses constitute the highest number attributed to an individual President in the supplied timeline.

A milestone in Ghana’s diplomatic history

Mahama’s scheduled address comes nearly seven decades after Nkrumah began Ghana’s presidential participation at the United Nations.

It will also mark the continuation of a pattern established during the Fourth Republic, when Rawlings returned the presidency to the UN podium in 1998.

The historical account describes the 2026 address as Ghana’s 25th presidential appearance at the General Debate, involving seven Presidents over the period since 1960.

However, the breakdown provided names six Presidents and accounts for 24 appearances before the scheduled 2026 address.

The account identifies the United Nations General Assembly Official Records and UN Photo as its sources.

Source: United Nations General Assembly Official Records, UN Photo.

John Dramani Mahama

John Agyekum Kufuor

Kwame Nkrumah

Nana Akufo-Addo

Jerry John Rawlings