Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called for a fairer and more inclusive global governance system, saying the Global South must have a greater voice in shaping the current international order.
Mahama was speaking in an exclusive interview with the China Media Group (CMG) which aired on Friday.
The Ghanaian President visited Beijing back in October to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, and also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his trip, with both leaders stressing the long history of friendship between the two nations.
In the CMG interview, Mahama commended the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) put forward by President Xi which is aimed at promoting equality, multilateralism and shared development.
Mahama said countries in the Global South have long been disadvantaged by an international system that does not reflect their needs or reward their contributions.
He stressed that the principles outlined under the GGI offer important pathways for the Global South to pursue development, equity and multilateral cooperation.
"The Global South has been left behind in the global order that has existed since the end of World War II. It's an unjust system in terms of global trade, it's an unjust system in terms of the global financial institutions; it's an unjust system in terms of the illicit financial flows from the Global South to the Global North. And so in fashioning a new global order, we must insist on justice and equality and that the system is not rigged against Africa and the Global South. And so that is what the parameters of any new global order should be," he said.
"Once China starts leading that initiative, I think that is something that we all must support. And it does not exclude the Global North. For countries that understand the need for justice, I think they all can support this new initiative that the new order should give African countries a greater say on the world's multilateral financial institutions, it should give Africa a greater say in the international multilateral bodies like the United Nations so that we can be equal partners in determining how our world order is presented," said Mahama.
Looking ahead, the president expressed strong confidence in the future of China-Ghana cooperation, saying both sides have broad space to deepen collaboration across a number of emerging sectors.
"I believe that we can continue to work together, especially in new areas of innovation and utilization. China has worked hard to gain a comparative advantage when it comes to green energy and transitions, digitalization and innovation, artificial intelligence. And so I think that the opportunity for new partnerships between us and China, and China's transformation and development is an inspiration for all of us," he said.
China's Global Governance Initiative key to building inclusive world future: Ghanaian President
