Ghanaians living abroad have staged a demonstration near the United Nations Headquarters in New York, demanding greater accountability from the government of President John Dramani Mahama over campaign promises and a range of governance and development concerns.
The demonstration, held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, was organised under the theme “GHANA AYƐ MMƆBƆ” and brought together members of the Ghanaian diaspora from different political parties, movements and associations.
Participants gathered at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza near the UN Headquarters to draw international attention to issues they believe require urgent action in Ghana.
The organisers said their demonstration was aimed at demanding measurable accountability for commitments made by the government during the 2024 general election campaign.
Ahead of the protest, organiser Kwasi Obeng-Fosu indicated that the group intended to focus on several areas, including freedom of speech, illegal mining, job creation, education, the 24-hour economy, support for women-owned businesses and the automatic posting of newly qualified teachers and nurses.
The protesters also raised concerns about commitments contained in the governing National Democratic Congress’ 2024 manifesto.
Among the issues identified were the government’s pledge to take immediate action against illegal mining, restore automatic employment for newly qualified teachers and nurses, abolish the double-track system in senior high schools, establish a Women’s Development Bank and create at least 10,000 businesses annually under the Adwumawura programme.
The implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy policy also featured prominently among the concerns raised by the demonstrators.
The policy was presented by the government as a major programme intended to support production, business activity and job creation.
The protesters, however, called for clearer evidence of implementation and measurable outcomes from the initiative.
The organisers said their approach was to ask what had been promised, what had been delivered, what remained outstanding and what timelines the government could provide for pending commitments.
Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, was another major concern cited by the group.
The demonstrators called for stronger action to address the environmental and social consequences associated with illegal mining, while also raising concerns about the protection of citizens’ rights and freedom of speech.
The organisers also included employment and education among the issues they wanted the government to address, particularly in relation to young people and newly qualified professionals.
The demonstration took place as President Mahama was in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, giving the protest an international setting.
According to the government’s Information Services Department, President Mahama was scheduled to participate in several engagements during the UN General Assembly, including high-level events on the Accra Reset and reparatory justice, meetings with world leaders and international business executives, and a town hall meeting with the Ghanaian community in New York on Friday, September 25.
On Wednesday, September 23, the President hosted a high-level side event on reparatory justice, where he called for the return of African human remains, sacred artefacts and looted cultural property.
The government’s programme in New York therefore coincided with the diaspora demonstration, which sought to draw attention to domestic governance and development concerns.
The organisers stressed that their demand centred on accountability and measurable progress rather than simply criticism of the government.
They want the administration to provide clearer evidence of progress on its electoral commitments and explanations for areas where implementation remains outstanding.
The demonstration has consequently added a diaspora voice to the ongoing public debate over the pace of implementation of the Mahama administration’s policies and promises.
The group, which describes itself as “Ghanaians Abroad,” says it comprises concerned Ghanaians in the diaspora drawn from across political parties, movements and associations.
The protest comes at a time when the government’s performance on campaign commitments, job creation, illegal mining, education, economic reforms and the 24-hour economy continues to attract public discussion in Ghana and among Ghanaians abroad.
By 1960news.com
