UNGA81: We must stop using diplomatic euphemisms – Mahama condemns Gaza carnage

President John Dramani Mahama has condemned the continued suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the occupied territories, calling for stronger international action to address the humanitarian crisis.

Addressing the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026, President Mahama said the situation in Gaza had become one of the clearest tests of the credibility of the international system.

“Nowhere is this crisis of credibility more painful than in the ongoing persecution of the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and the occupied territories,” he said.

President Mahama urged the international community to confront the scale of the crisis rather than use diplomatic language to soften the reality on the ground.

“We must stop using diplomatic euphemisms to veil the human carnage taking place in Gaza,” he stated.

He questioned how many more civilian lives would have to be lost before the international community takes decisive action.

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

The President described collective punishment, enforced starvation and mass displacement as violations of international law, while citing the deaths of children in the conflict.

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

Ghana, President Mahama reiterated, remains committed to the recognition of Palestine and a negotiated 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 live side-by-side in peace, security, and guaranteed borders,” he said.

While criticising the humanitarian situation in Gaza, President Mahama also condemned attacks by Hamas and called on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law.

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

He further called for dialogue and adherence to international law in addressing conflicts around the world, stressing the need to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access.

Ghana has consistently supported the recognition of the State of Palestine and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his UNGA address, President Mahama linked the Gaza crisis to what he described as a wider erosion of multilateral norms and called for consistent application of international humanitarian law.