G20 must become G21 with AU inclusive – Barbados Prime Minister

The prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley has said the world must accept Africa to be part of the global leadership for fairness sake.

She said the G20 must be made to become the G21 with the inclusion of the African Union (AU).

The G20 or Group of Twenty is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. 

It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.

Speaking as the special guest of honour at the 65 independence day celebration in Cape Coast, Mottley said… it is for that reason Mr President that when we look at the global architecture and the lack of fairness in the structure of it, we too echo your own call and that of others that the African Union should be given a chance to become part of the global leadership if it is morally accepted by us all; the G20 cannot remain 20. 

“The G20 must become G21 for we know that the African Union constitute the fifth largest economy in the world…”

“Pacesetter”

She also used the occasion to extol Ghana’s democratic credential.

Mottley said Ghana led the way by attaining independence from the British colonial masters in 1957 and called for the protection of the principles of democracy as enshrined in the constitution.

“We have to work together in solidarity and fight the battles of our day, challenges that there appears to be, for whether it is the climate crisis that affects us or whether it is the spirit of war raising its head yet again or whether it is the obsession by some who have not been elected to take power from those who are duly elected.

She added, “We have a duty to stand tall and protect the principles of democracy the principles that are anchored in the constitution and the principles that we are committed in the United Nations Charter.”