How many more lives must be lost? - Mahama challenges world leaders over Gaza

President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger international action over the crisis in Gaza, the conflict in Sudan and other wars, warning that the credibility of the global system is being weakened by selective application of international law.

Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Mahama said world leaders must stop hiding the scale of suffering behind diplomatic language.

“The time has come for us to stop using diplomatic euphemisms to veil the human carnage that is taking place in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said.

“How many more lives must be lost before the world acts with decisive moral authority?”he added.

Mahama referred to the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab and more than 20,000 children he said had been killed in the conflict.

“The blood of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and the more than 20,000 children that have been killed in this brutal conflict cries out to the conscience of the world,” he said.

He condemned collective punishment, forced starvation and mass displacement.

“Collective punishment and forced starvation and mass displacement are flagrant violations of international law,” Mahama said.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state and its support for a two-state solution.

“Ghana remains unwavering in its recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine and its steadfast support for a viable two-state solution where Israel and Palestine will live side by side in peace, security with guaranteed borders,” he stated.

Mahama also condemned acts of terrorism by Hamas and called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law.

“We condemn all acts of terrorism by Hamas that triggered this conflict and we insist that all parties unconditionally respect international humanitarian law. Our moral standards cannot be selective,” he said.

He also called for the immediate lifting of the long-standing economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on Cuba.

Mahama argued that measures that impose widespread economic hardship on ordinary citizens go against principles of human dignity and international law.

He further called for greater international attention to Sudan, which he described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

He urged solidarity with countries facing terrorist threats, particularly Ghana’s neighbours in the Sahel.

Mahama also warned about the wider economic consequences of the Middle East crisis and called for a return to negotiations.

“No human civilization deserves to be annihilated and certainly not a member of the United Nations,” he said.