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| President John Dramani Mahama arrives in Belgrade, Serbia, for the 65th anniversary meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. |
President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Belgrade, Serbia, to participate in a high-level meeting commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The Ghanaian President’s arrival in the Serbian capital marks an important moment in Ghana’s foreign-policy engagement, particularly because Ghana was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 under the leadership of the country’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The anniversary meeting is being hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and brings together senior leaders and representatives from countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. More than 30 countries are expected to be represented at the high-level gathering.
Mahama Arrives in Belgrade
President Mahama arrived in Belgrade on Monday, August 31, ahead of the commemorative meeting marking 65 years since the historic first Non-Aligned Movement conference.
His arrival was confirmed by Ghana’s Presidency and the Ghana News Agency, which reported that the President was in Serbia to participate in the anniversary celebration.
The visit comes shortly after President Mahama returned to Ghana from Luanda, Angola, where he had participated in an African Union meeting focused on conflict resolution and peace and security on the continent.
His participation in the Belgrade meeting therefore forms part of a wider period of international diplomatic engagement for the Ghanaian leader.
The Belgrade visit is particularly significant because of the historical relationship between Ghana and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Ghana was not simply an early participant in the movement; the country played a major role in the ideas and diplomatic efforts that eventually led to its establishment.
Why Ghana's Role Is Important
The Non-Aligned Movement was formally established in 1961 during the Cold War, a period when the world was largely divided between two competing power blocs.
On one side was the Western bloc, led by the United States and its allies. On the other was the Soviet-led socialist bloc.
Many newly independent countries in Africa, Asia and elsewhere did not want to become permanently tied to either side.
They wanted to protect their sovereignty, pursue their own foreign policies and cooperate with other developing nations.
This was the environment in which the Non-Aligned Movement emerged.
Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was among the key leaders associated with the movement's founding vision. He worked alongside Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Indonesian President Sukarno.
The historic connection between Nkrumah and Tito is particularly important to the current summit because the original 1961 conference was held in Belgrade, which was then the capital of Yugoslavia.
Sixty-five years later, Belgrade is once again serving as the venue for a major gathering reflecting on that history.
The Theme of the 65th Anniversary Meeting
The anniversary meeting is being held under the theme:
“The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today’s World.”
The theme seeks to connect the principles that shaped the movement during the Cold War with the challenges facing the international community today.
According to Ghana's Information Services Department, the meeting is expected to address issues including peace and security, sustainable development, economic cooperation, climate change and reforms to international governance institutions.
The Serbian government has also described the gathering as an opportunity to reflect on the historical legacy of the 1961 Belgrade Conference and reaffirm commitment to the United Nations Charter, international law and multilateralism.
For President Mahama, the meeting provides an opportunity for Ghana to once again demonstrate its commitment to international cooperation and the principles associated with the Non-Aligned Movement.
What the Non-Aligned Movement Stands For
The Non-Aligned Movement currently has 120 member states, making it the largest international grouping outside the United Nations.
Despite its name, the movement is not simply about refusing to have relationships with major world powers.
Rather, its historical purpose has been to provide developing countries with a collective diplomatic platform through which they can defend their sovereignty and pursue independent national interests.
Among the principles associated with the movement are sovereign equality among nations, respect for territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and peaceful cooperation.
The movement has also advocated stronger economic cooperation among developing countries.
These principles remain particularly relevant at a time when the international system is experiencing major geopolitical tensions.
Mahama's Presence and Ghana's Foreign Policy
President Mahama's participation in the Belgrade meeting highlights Ghana's longstanding commitment to multilateral diplomacy.
Ghana has traditionally used international organisations and diplomatic platforms to promote peace, cooperation and development.
The President's presence in Belgrade allows Ghana to reconnect with an important part of its diplomatic history while also engaging with contemporary international issues.
The anniversary meeting could also provide opportunities for Ghana to strengthen relations with countries participating in the gathering.
Although the central focus of the event is the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, such international gatherings often provide opportunities for leaders to discuss bilateral relations, trade, investment, development cooperation and other areas of mutual interest.
A Historic Return to Belgrade
There is a strong historical symbolism attached to President Mahama's arrival in Belgrade.
The city hosted the first major Non-Aligned Movement conference in 1961.
That historic gathering brought together leaders of newly independent and developing nations who wanted to establish an alternative diplomatic path during a period of intense global rivalry.
The decision to hold the 65th anniversary meeting in Belgrade therefore connects the present directly to the movement's origins.
The Serbian government says the commemorative meeting is bringing together representatives from the movement's historic core as well as representatives of its current leadership structure.
For Ghana, the location is even more meaningful because of the country's connection to the movement through Dr. Nkrumah.
Issues Facing the Global South
The meeting comes at a time when developing countries are facing several major challenges.
Economic inequality, climate change, international conflicts, food and energy security, debt pressures and questions about the structure of global institutions have become major issues for countries in the Global South.
The Non-Aligned Movement provides a platform for these countries to express common concerns and advocate for greater representation in international decision-making.
The Belgrade meeting is therefore expected to look beyond the history of the organisation and examine how its principles can be applied to today's changing world.
Ghana's participation gives President Mahama an opportunity to contribute to those discussions and highlight Ghana's experience and priorities.
Ghana and Serbia Strengthen Historic Ties
President Mahama's visit also comes against the background of efforts by Ghana and Serbia to deepen their bilateral relationship.
In July 2026, Ghana and Serbia held their inaugural bilateral political consultations.
During those discussions, both sides recalled the historic relationship between Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah and Yugoslavia's Josip Broz Tito and the two countries' shared history within the Non-Aligned Movement.
The consultations also explored possible cooperation in areas including education, health, tourism, trade and investment, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, culture and sports.
Serbian officials expressed interest in cooperation with Ghana in areas such as engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, data centres and pharmaceutical production.
President Mahama's current visit therefore carries both historical and contemporary diplomatic significance.
What Happens Next?
President Mahama is expected to join other Heads of State and senior representatives at the commemorative meeting.
Discussions will focus on the history and continuing relevance of the Non-Aligned Movement, while participating countries consider how the movement can respond to modern global challenges.
The gathering is expected to reinforce principles including respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference and stronger cooperation among developing nations.
For Ghana, the summit is also an opportunity to remind the international community of the country's historical contribution to the movement.
More than six decades after Nkrumah and other founding leaders helped shape the Non-Aligned Movement, President Mahama's presence in Belgrade represents Ghana's continued engagement with an organisation whose history is deeply connected to the country's foreign-policy tradition.
Conclusion
President John Dramani Mahama's arrival in Belgrade is more than an ordinary diplomatic trip.
It brings Ghana back to a city that occupies a special place in the country's international history.
Belgrade hosted the historic 1961 conference that gave birth to the Non-Aligned Movement, while Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was among the leaders who helped shape its founding vision.
As the movement marks its 65th anniversary, President Mahama is joining leaders and representatives from across the Global South to reflect on the organisation's legacy and discuss its relevance to today's world.
Under the theme “The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today’s World,” the meeting is expected to focus on sovereignty, peace, international cooperation, economic development and the changing global order.
President Mahama's participation consequently gives Ghana an opportunity to reaffirm its historic connection to the Non-Aligned Movement while contributing to conversations about the future of international relations.
The Belgrade gathering is therefore both a remembrance of the past and a discussion about the future — and Ghana, through President Mahama, is taking its place at the centre of that historic conversation once again.