President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Belgrade, Serbia, to participate in a high-level meeting marking the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The meeting, hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, brings together leaders and representatives from member states to reflect on the history, principles and continued relevance of the movement.
President Mahama’s participation highlights Ghana’s longstanding association with NAM and its historical contribution to the movement’s establishment and development.
Ghana’s role in NAM
Ghana was among the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961, when newly independent countries sought to pursue independent foreign policies amid the Cold War rivalry between major global power blocs.
Ghana’s involvement was strongly associated with its first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who played an influential role in advancing the vision behind the movement.
Dr Nkrumah worked alongside other prominent leaders, including former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and former Indonesian President Sukarno.
Together, the leaders championed the idea of a collective platform for countries that did not want to align themselves with either of the major Cold War blocs.
Belgrade’s historical significance
The movement was formally established in Belgrade in 1961, making the Serbian capital an important location in the history of NAM.
Its founding principles included respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, peaceful coexistence, opposition to colonialism and racial discrimination, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Over the years, NAM has evolved beyond its original Cold War context and continues to serve as a platform through which developing countries coordinate positions on international political, economic and security issues.
The 65th anniversary meeting in Belgrade will therefore provide participating countries with an opportunity to reflect on the movement’s historical achievements while considering how its principles can be applied to contemporary global challenges.
For Ghana, President Mahama’s participation also serves as a reminder of the country’s historic role in shaping one of the most significant diplomatic movements to emerge from the post-colonial era.
