Mahama in Serbia for 65th Anniversary of Non-Aligned Movement
President John Dramani Mahama is in Belgrade, Serbia, to participate in a high-level meeting marking the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a historic international grouping closely linked to Ghana’s post-independence foreign policy.
The two-day commemorative meeting, taking place from August 31 to September 1, 2026, is being hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić under the theme, “The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today’s World.” President Mahama is attending as a Special Guest of Honour following an invitation from the Serbian leader.
The gathering has brought together leaders and senior representatives from more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America to reflect on the relevance of non-alignment in today’s increasingly complex global political environment.
Ghana’s Historic Role in NAM
Ghana holds a special place in the history of the Non-Aligned Movement.
The country’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was one of the prominent founding leaders who helped establish the movement in 1961 alongside Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito, India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser and Indonesia’s Sukarno.
The movement was formally launched in Belgrade at the height of the Cold War as developing nations sought an independent diplomatic path without formally aligning themselves with either the Western or Soviet blocs.
Today, NAM has about 120 member states, making it the largest international grouping of countries outside the United Nations.
Mahama to Reaffirm Ghana’s Foreign Policy Principles
President Mahama’s participation is expected to reaffirm Ghana’s longstanding commitment to the core principles of the movement, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, peaceful coexistence and greater economic cooperation among developing countries.
The summit is also expected to discuss contemporary global challenges such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, economic cooperation and reform of international governance institutions.
The meeting comes at a time of growing geopolitical competition and renewed debate over how developing countries can protect their strategic interests while maintaining independent foreign policies.
Ghana-Serbia Relations Also in Focus
Beyond the anniversary celebrations, President Mahama’s visit comes against the backdrop of longstanding diplomatic relations between Ghana and Serbia, which date back to 1959.
The two countries recently held their inaugural bilateral political consultations in Belgrade, where discussions focused on expanding cooperation in areas including trade and investment, agriculture, education, tourism, information technology, engineering, pharmaceuticals and agro-processing.
Ghana is therefore expected to use the Belgrade gathering not only to reaffirm its historic commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement but also to deepen bilateral economic and diplomatic relations with Serbia.
President Mahama’s presence in Belgrade brings Ghana back to the city where Dr Kwame Nkrumah helped shape one of the most important diplomatic movements of the post-colonial era 65 years ago.
