Addressing world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo issued a strong warning against the growing trend of hostility and discrimination towards migrants, urging the international community not to allow such attitudes to become normalised or institutionalised under the guise of nationalism or security.
Speaking during his address to the global gathering, President Akufo-Addo lamented the increasing marginalisation of migrant populations across several regions, particularly in parts of the West, where rhetoric against immigration has become increasingly politicised. He stressed that migration, both voluntary and forced, has been part of human history for centuries and should not be weaponised to fuel xenophobia, fear, or hatred.
The Ghanaian leader noted with concern that many countries are adopting policies that effectively criminalise migrants and refugees, often without due regard for international law or humanitarian principles. He warned that such a trend risks undermining the global commitment to human rights and could further deepen global inequality.
President Akufo-Addo also reminded the Assembly that the economic contributions of migrants — including Africans living abroad — are often undervalued, despite the fact that remittances from the diaspora continue to play a significant role in the economies of many developing nations.
He called on world leaders to resist populist narratives that scapegoat migrants for economic challenges, and instead work towards building fairer, more inclusive societies that recognise the dignity and rights of all people, regardless of origin.
His remarks come amid heightened global debates on border controls, refugee policies, and the treatment of displaced populations, especially as conflicts, climate change, and economic instability continue to drive migration across continents.
As a vocal advocate for Pan-Africanism and global equity, President Akufo-Addo’s intervention at the UN adds to a growing chorus of leaders from the Global South urging the West to uphold its obligations under international conventions and to approach migration with humanity rather than hostility.
