United Nations Special Representative Hannah Tetteh has urged African governments to reposition themselves strategically as shifting global political and economic dynamics reshape international relations.

Delivering the keynote address at the 21st Kronti ne Akwamu Public Lecture, Mrs Tetteh said the assumptions that have driven globalisation over the past several decades are increasingly being challenged, making it imperative for African countries to reassess how they engage with the rest of the world.

She observed that the long-held belief that greater global integration would automatically promote economic growth and shared prosperity is giving way to a more cautious approach, with several influential nations placing greater emphasis on protecting their own national interests.

According to Mrs Tetteh, concerns over supply chain disruptions, widening economic inequalities and national security have prompted many countries to rethink their commitment to the global economic model that dominated the past 40 years.

She cautioned that these changes could have far-reaching consequences for developing economies, particularly those in Africa, if the continent fails to adapt to the evolving international landscape.

Mrs Tetteh therefore called for stronger collaboration among African states, urging governments to make greater use of continental and regional institutions, including the African Union and regional economic blocs, to advance shared interests.

She also emphasised the need to safeguard multilateral institutions and international rules that give smaller nations an opportunity to influence global decision-making despite their limited political and economic power.

The former Ghanaian Foreign Affairs Minister noted that the principles of sovereign equality and international cooperation remain essential for countries that depend on collective engagement rather than unilateral action to protect their interests.

She encouraged African leaders and policymakers to adopt a forward-looking approach, ensuring the continent plays an active role in shaping the emerging global order instead of merely reacting to developments.

The 21st Kronti ne Akwamu Public Lecture brought together policymakers, academics and governance experts to examine Ghana's and Africa's place in an evolving global political, economic and security environment.