President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that the global rules-based trading system is being undermined by the increasing number of unilateral actions taken by certain countries. He emphasised that the world must strengthen collaboration through what he described as a “coalition of the willing.”
The President made the remarks on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, when Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House.
Post-War Global Order Under Pressure
According to President Mahama, the post-Second World War international order created space for countries to engage in dialogue, resolve disputes, and pursue shared interests. He referenced the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which helped lift millions of people out of poverty through coordinated global effort.
He added that nations would soon have to review their progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030, stressing that cooperation was key to achieving them.
Impact of Unilateral Decisions on Global Trade
President Mahama warned that the rules-based trading system, built over decades, is weakening due to individual countries making decisions without global consultation.
He noted that such unilateralism threatens the stability of global markets and makes it even more important for countries with shared values to work closely together.
Step-by-Step: Why Global Cooperation Matters
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Preserves Fair Trade Rules: Joint actions prevent powerful nations from dominating global markets.
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Supports Economic Growth: Shared agreements help developing countries access larger markets.
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Enhances Peace and Stability: Diplomacy reduces tensions and encourages peaceful negotiations.
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Strengthens Global Development Goals: Collective participation improves MDG and SDG outcomes.
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Protects Small Economies: Multilateral systems allow weaker economies to benefit from global policy support.
Official Remarks
President Mahama stated:
“The trading system we have built over many years is being affected by unilateral decisions. To protect our shared future, cooperation between countries with common views has become more necessary than ever.”
FAQs
Q1: What is a rules-based trading system?
A system where international trade is governed by agreed rules and regulations to ensure fairness and predictability.
Q2: Why are unilateral actions harmful?
They bypass established agreements, creating instability and weakening trust among countries.
Q3: What is the coalition of the willing?
A group of countries ready to work together voluntarily to strengthen global cooperation and shared
