New york: President Mahama addressed the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, focusing on Africa’s historical and future role within the organization. He emphasized the minimal participation of African nations in the founding of the UN, noting that only four African countries-Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, and South Africa-were among the original 51 member states in 1945.

According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama highlighted the context in which the United Nations was established. The organization was formed in the aftermath of World War II to address the failures of its precursor, the League of Nations, which had been unable to prevent large-scale global conflict. The League of Nations, founded in 1920 after World War I, originally included only three African member states: Liberia, the Union of South Africa, and Ethiopia, with Egypt joining in 1937.

President Mahama’s speech underscored the relatively insignificant role Africa played in the early years of both the League of Nations and the United Nations. He suggested that understanding this historical context is crucial for appreciating Africa’s current and future contributions to the global organization.