President John Dramani Mahama has warned that the breakdown of multilateralism poses grave risks to global peace and security, drawing parallels with the collapse of the League of Nations before World War II.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, September 25, he said the current era bore “all too similar” conditions.

“These are dangerous times. Our world is experiencing a rise in nationalism and economic instability. Various acts of aggression have been committed against the sovereignty of others, and nations are attempting to circumvent the very safeguards put in place to prevent large-scale global conflict,” he said.

Mr Mahama described the UN as “the proverbial town square of our modern global village,” which must be protected at all costs.

“It has never been more critical for us to protect this one space that brings and holds the world’s nations together as a community,” he told delegates.

He cautioned against the illusion of connectivity fostered by artificial intelligence and social media.

“These platforms reinforce isolation by using algorithms that ensure we do not receive new ideas and perspectives. We are served alternative facts and manipulated images, making it easier to disseminate disinformation and sow seeds of division,” he warned.

The Ghanaian leader called on world leaders to recommit to cooperation, saying, “We cannot normalise cruelty. We cannot normalise hatred. We cannot normalise xenophobia and racism. If we are going to tell a story, let’s not tell it slant. Let’s tell all the truth.”