President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo returned home from the U.S. yesterday after attending the 72nd United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting in New York.
He was welcomed on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Service Chiefs, the Chief of Staff, the Minister of Information, Defence, National Security, Interior, Aviation, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as senior government officials.
Whilst in the US, the president gave a speech on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, outlining his government’s vision to fully reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN.
He told the Assembly that Ghana was making progress socially, economically and democratically, assuring that the country would continue to remain a beacon of democracy and stability on the African continent.
“Our institutions of state are growing stronger, and we have made more progress with our economy than at any time since independence…and we are working to open up opportunities for progress and prosperity for all our citizens,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo underscored in his maiden address at the UN as Head of State of the Republic of Ghana, “We want to build a Ghana beyond aid and we are determined to realise our potential and make Ghana a prosperous nation,”
He further advocated for the urgent reformation of the world body to deepen and promote international cooperation, peace and security. “We cannot continue to preach democracy and fairness around the world; we cannot insist on peace and justice around the world, when our global organisation is not seen by the majority of its members as having a structure that is just and fair,” President Akufo-Addo observed.
“It is, indeed, seen by many as helping to perpetuate an unfair world order,” he stressed.
The president used the occasion to rally the African continent to shed its “cloak of poverty” and assume its rightful place on the world stage.
“We believe it is time Africa comes of age and holds its rightful place on the world stage. This Africa will be neither a victim nor a pawn. This Africa will be honest to itself and to the world, and this Africa will shed its cloak of poverty and become prosperous,” articulated.
President Akufo-Addo, who led a strong government delegation to the UN session, took part in other side events, delivering a speech on the theme, “Africa Beyond Aid,” at the 5th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development” at the Earth Institute, Columbia University in New York.
President Akufo-Addo, together with eight other African leaders, held talks on US-Africa relations with the American President, Donald Trump.
He was awarded with the 2017 Africa-America Institute’s (AAI’s) National Achievment Award on behalf of Ghana and its people.
The award was in recognition of Ghana’s status as a free and democratic country in Africa.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent