President John Dramani Mahama addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly, delivering a speech that ranged from deeply personal reflections on identity and belonging to searing indictments of global injustice.

Here are ten of the most poignant moments from his address.

1. On the Power of Truth and Silence

“The world may not transform overnight because of the speeches that we deliver here in this August Assembly, but history would faithfully record the truths we choose to speak and the silences that we choose to keep when we are granted the privilege of addressing this global town hall.”

Mahama opened by acknowledging the limits of rhetoric while underscoring the moral weight of what leaders choose to say, and what they choose to ignore.

2. On Belonging and Its Dark Side

“When belonging is weaponized by political expediency, it transforms into nativism, chauvinism, xenophobia and the dangerous prejudices that are extended to people who are deemed different from us. It becomes the pretext for discrimination, for displacement, for persecution and war.”

Drawing on his own multicultural Ghanaian heritage, Mahama warned that the same force that anchors communities can be twisted into a weapon of division.

3. On the Transatlantic Slave Trade

“They did not vanish. They were hunted. They were captured. They were trafficked. They were bought. They were sold. They were exploited in exchange for profit. They were ripped from their families and communities they belong to. Their unpaid labor built the cities, industries, banking institutions and empires of the modern Western world.”

In one of the most powerful passages of his speech, Mahama rejected the passive language historically used to describe the slave trade, insisting on naming the active violence and exploitation that built the modern world.

4. On Africa’s Place at the UN Security Council

“Africa is home to 1.5 billion people, over 18% of humanity and constitutes the largest regional voting bloc in this General Assembly. And yet, Africa remains without a single permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. This is fundamentally unacceptable in the 21st century.”

Mahama pointed out that Security Council reform was not a request but a necessary correction to a global governance structure built for a bygone era.

5. On the Tragedy in Gaza

“How many more lives must be lost before the world acts with decisive moral authority? The blood of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and the more than 20,000 children that have been killed in this brutal conflict cries out to the conscience of the world.”

Mahama called for an end to “diplomatic euphemisms” and demanded that the world confront the human carnage in Gaza with moral clarity, while also condemning terrorism and insisting on respect for international humanitarian law by all parties.

6. On Climate Justice

“We in Africa contribute less than 4% of global greenhouse gases. And yet we bear some of the heaviest burden of climate devastation.”

Mahama highlighted the stark inequity of climate change—those least responsible suffering the most, and called for developed nations to fulfill their financial commitments through non-debt-creating grants, not loans.

7. On the “Ghanaian Miracle”

“Macroeconomic indicators mean little if they do not translate into real improvements in our people’s daily lives. Economic growth and progress must have a human face.”

While celebrating Ghana’s economic recovery, Mahama insisted that true progress is measured not in statistics but in the lived experience of ordinary citizens.

8. On Democracy’s Soul

“Democracy loses its soul when it protects elite privileges while abandoning the vulnerable.”

This succinct declaration captured Mahama’s vision of governance that prioritizes the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, not just the powerful.

9. On the Need for Political Courage

“The daunting crises confronting our world are not insurmountable. What we lack is not resources or intellect. What we lack is the political courage to see one another as a part of a single human family.”

Mahama argued that the world’s problems are solvable, but only if leaders summon the will to act with solidarity rather than self-interest.

10. On Belonging to the Human Family

“That refugee fleeing violence belongs. That migrant seeking opportunity belongs. That child in Gaza, Sudan, or Ukraine belongs. The descendants of enslaved Africans seeking justice belong. The indigenous community protecting its ancestral lands and environment belongs. The small island states threatened by rising oceans belong to humanity. The poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized belong. They belong to our common human family.”

In the speech’s emotional climax, Mahama returned to the theme of belonging, declaring that every human being, regardless of circumstance, deserves dignity, rights, and a voice.

Final Reflection

President Mahama closed by expanding Kwame Nkrumah’s famous declaration, saying: “The freedom of any nation is insecure unless it is linked to the freedom of all humanity.” It was a fitting end to a speech that challenged the world to build bridges rather than walls, and to speak truth with humility and courage.

In a modest workshop in Ghana’s capital, a young mechanical engineer is quietly revolutionizing personal mobility.

Amartey, a graduate of Ashesi University, has designed and built an electric rideable vehicle called the Scorpion using salvaged parts from motorcycles, ATVs, and electric scooters. The vehicle, which reaches speeds of 35 to 40 kilometers per hour and is designed to be road-legal, represents a bold vision: to make sustainable, locally-built transportation accessible to ordinary Ghanaians.

And he plans to sell it at a price comparable to a motorcycle.

The Scorpion: From Concept to Reality

The Scorpion is not a typical electric scooter. It features a dual steering system, a surfing gesture similar to skateboarding, plus a power steering feature for extreme turns. Riders control it through body motion, leaning into turns as they would on a skateboard.

“It’s designed to be as intuitive as possible such that it turns towards where you lean,” Amartey explained in an interview with content creator Ivy Prosper.

The vehicle’s distinctive design, including a segmented tail that mimics a scorpion’s stinger and front tires covered to resemble claws, gave it its name. The brake lever at the end of the tail completes the arachnid aesthetic.

The Scorpion has indicators, brake lights, mirrors, and headlights for night riding. It is designed to be both road-legal and off-road friendly, with off-road tires and a robust suspension system built to handle rocky terrain.

“Scorpions are found in the forest,” Amartey said. “So it was designed with that in mind—to be able to survive in their natural habitat.”

Built From Scrap

What makes the Scorpion particularly remarkable is its construction. Nearly every component is salvaged or repurposed.

The handlebar controls come from an actual motorcycle, reconfigured to be handheld rather than mounted on handlebars. The tires were sourced from an old ATV. The electric motor, housed within the rear tire, came from an electric scooter. The body is made from stainless steel and galvanized pipes, cut and shaped by hand. The suspension system is entirely salvaged.

“The scrap pieces that come out of the process, I use them to generate revenue into building the engineering stuff,” Amartey said.

That revenue comes from his artwork—mixed-media pieces that incorporate workshop scrap, electronic waste, bottle caps, and salvaged materials into striking mirrors and wall art. His “101” collection and pieces like “Love Till Infinity” are sold to collectors and homeowners, with proceeds funding his engineering enterprise.

“So my arts, craftsmanship, and then I sell it, invest into the parts, and then keep building,” he explained.

From Helicopter to Scorpion

Amartey’s journey to the Scorpion began at Ashesi University, where he studied mechanical engineering. The university’s curriculum required students to build projects at the end of every course, fostering a culture of practical innovation.

He also worked on a personal project: an ultra-light helicopter.

“It never took off, but I attempted to fly it,” he recalled. “That was one of my biggest projects, and it taught me both the skill and the discipline needed to embrace a project like that.”

After graduating, Amartey and his fellow engineering students set up a school where they could teach other students to build, creating a community of makers who constantly exchange ideas.

The Scorpion project began about two to three years ago. The first prototype had a petrol engine mounted between the rider’s legs, “similar to something you see in Mad Max,” Amartey said, with two cables for brake and accelerator. It took about two months to build.

He later switched to an electric power train, which vibrated less and proved more efficient. The current model is the fifth iteration.

Growing Interest and a Vision for the Future

The Scorpion has become Amartey’s daily ride. He uses it to navigate Accra’s streets, drawing attention wherever he goes.

“I get stopped every now and then,” he said. “People say they’ve seen it online, they need to try it, and I just give them the throttle.”

His vision extends far beyond personal use. Amartey dreams of mass-producing the Scorpion and seeing it become a common sight on Ghanaian roads.

“My dream is for the roads to be littered with Scorpions in the near future,” he said. “People surfing here and there. It’s going to make the world a more exciting place to be.”

He envisions the Scorpion being used for recreational purposes as well—quad biking-style adventures in forests, beach rides along the shoreline, and tourism activities.

Safety and Regulation

Amartey acknowledges that safety is a priority. He plans to establish training programs for new riders, recognizing that the Scorpion’s unique steering system requires some adjustment.

“There’s going to have to be some training just because it’s a new concept,” he said. “Training for the public to learn how to safely ride it.”

The vehicle is designed to meet road safety requirements, with indicators, brake lights, and mirrors. Amartey also sees off-road applications—similar to quad biking or adventure biking—as safer alternatives for recreational use.

The Price Point

Perhaps most striking is Amartey’s ambition to price the Scorpion comparably to a motorcycle.

“Off the top of my head, it should be priced similar to a motorcycle,” he said.

That pricing strategy could make the Scorpion accessible to a broad segment of Ghanaian society, offering an affordable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional motorcycles and cars.

Investment and Support

Amartey is actively seeking investment to scale production. He invites interested parties to reach out through his social media platforms or email.

Ivy Prosper, who featured Amartey in her YouTube series “Telling Stories from Africa and Beyond,” urged viewers to consider supporting young African innovators.

“Sometimes it’s as simple as investing in someone,” she said. “It’s investing in an idea. It’s investing in young people who are the future. It doesn’t have to be that you’re buying a property or buying a business. It’s as simple as investing in a young person who has an idea and a concept of something that they can do in the future.”

A Symbol of African Ingenuity

Amartey’s story is part of a broader narrative of African innovation and self-reliance. From his father’s art gallery, where he grew up surrounded by creativity, to his mother’s career as an English teacher, Amartey’s background instilled in him a unique blend of artistic sensibility and technical rigor.

His work reflects a brutalist design aesthetic, sharp 90-degree edges, symmetry, and order, combined with a deep commitment to sustainability through the use of salvaged materials.

“I try and find symmetry,” he said. “I try and reflect myself in the pieces.”

For now, Amartey continues to build, innovate, and dream. His Scorpion may be a prototype today, but if his vision materialises, it could become a fixture on Ghanaian roads tomorrow.

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For investment inquiries, contact Amartey through his social media platforms or email, as provided in Ivy Prosper’s YouTube video description.

Ghanaian and Nigerian teachers have not been barred from teaching in England. While the United Kingdom has removed both countries, along with India, from the direct application route for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), alternative pathways to qualify remain open, and overseas-trained teachers can still legally work in English schools for up to four years without QTS.

The change, which took effect on September 9, 2026, means teachers trained in Ghana, Nigeria, and India can no longer use the UK’s “Apply for QTS in England” service.

The UK Department for Education (DfE) said the eligibility rules were updated to ensure that countries on the list can verify the professional standing and work history of their teachers.

Why the Direct Route Was Removed

Under the revised criteria, a country must have a national regulator capable of confirming a teacher’s professional standing and must be able to provide references that meet UK verification standards.

India was removed because it does not have a national regulator that can confirm teachers’ professional standing, according to the DfE.

For Ghana and Nigeria, the issue was different. The DfE said more than 70% of applications from teachers in both countries included work history references that used public email addresses, such as Gmail or Hotmail, rather than a school’s official email domain.

“Our data shows that more than 70% of applications from teachers in Ghana and Nigeria include work history references that use public email addresses, such as Gmail or Hotmail, rather than a school’s official email domain,” the department said. “This means assessors spend additional time and resources trying to verify information provided in applications”.

The DfE added that it “must be confident that the information applicants provide is genuine” to ensure that overseas teachers awarded QTS have the skills and experience needed to teach in English schools.

What Still Works: Alternative Routes to QTS

The removal from the direct route does not shut Ghanaian and Nigerian teachers out of teaching in England. The DfE has confirmed that teachers who are no longer eligible for the direct QTS service can pursue alternative routes, including assessment-only QTS, international qualified teacher status (iQTS), or teacher training in England, depending on their circumstances.

Assessment-only QTS allows experienced teachers with a degree to gain QTS without completing a teacher training programme. Applicants based outside the UK must contact a non-UK assessment-only provider.

International qualified teacher status (iQTS) is a 12-month international teacher training programme backed by the DfE that meets the same standards as English QTS and leads to QTS. It allows teachers to train where they live and work, with no need to visit the UK.

Teacher training in England remains an option for those who can relocate and meet visa requirements.

Additionally, UK government guidance states that overseas-qualified teachers may teach in England for up to four years without QTS under specified conditions. QTS is an important professional status required in many schools, but it is not legally required in every type of school.

The Human Impact

Nigerian teachers have expressed concern about the change, particularly regarding the official email requirement. Isaac Moji, a teacher at Olumawu School in Abuja, described the decision as “a major setback for Nigerian and Ghanaian-trained teachers hoping to work in England,” adding that “the official email requirement is now a serious hurdle”.

Mrs. Grace Agbo, headmistress of Divine Academy in Lugbe, Abuja, acknowledged that using personal email addresses for formal academic correspondence was not appropriate but pointed to weaknesses in some schools’ digital infrastructure.

“You can’t be using Gmail for academic or institutional work. But I also know that some institutional emails in Nigeria and Ghana don’t even work,” she said.

She added that the requirement itself was reasonable: “This is definitely not on the government. Email addresses for references should never be from a generic domain like Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail, which people can easily manipulate”.

A Narrowing Route, Not a Closed Door

The change follows a trend of declining approvals for Ghanaian applicants. In 2024/25, Ghana recorded 1,067 QTS applications, of which 196 were approved and 749 declined. By comparison, more than 2,300 Ghanaian teachers were granted QTS between February 2023 and March 2024, the highest of any country.

The periods differ, but the direction is clear: the direct route was already narrowing before it was closed.

South Africa remains among the African countries whose teachers can still access the direct QTS application route, subject to applicable conditions.

What Happens Next

The DfE has not indicated whether Ghana and Nigeria could regain eligibility. For that to happen, both countries would need to strengthen their national teaching regulators and ensure that schools can issue references from official domain email addresses.

The Ghana Teaching Council and the Ghana Education Service are among the bodies that could lead such reforms, according to analysts.

For now, the message from the UK government is clear: the door to teaching in England is narrower, but it is not shut. Ghanaian and Nigerian teachers who meet the requirements for alternative routes—or who secure employment under the four-year rule—can still pursue careers in English classrooms.