A champion of Multilateralism Ghana is gearing up to create an ambiance for the United Nations (UN) as the organization marks 77th anniversary on October 25, 2022. The Ghanaian version of the celebrations is jointly spearheaded by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the United Nations system in Ghana.
The celebration under the theme ”Solidarity, Sustainability and Science” dubbed the 3S, thrusts forward the systems that anchor international relations and development. Solidarity is the functionality of multilateralism where nations partner to achieve common goals. Globalization has ensured that the world is patterned and uniform along with common programs, organizations, systems, practices, and choices in dealing with evolving issues.
The sustainability factor relates to programs and initiatives that are relevant enough to outlive present circumstances. Science has been the spine of advancement by any nation and different levels of achievement are attributable to the extent to which science is applied. The role of science cannot be overemphasized as it is part of the tools used in fighting some of the hazards confronting humanity such as climate change and pandemics. Innovative science pushes the frontiers of achievement, ultimately to the benefit of creations.
Highlights of this year’s celebration include a route march in Accra on October 22. The Ghana Armed Forces would provide 100 personnel while prisons, immigration, and police would provide a 50 contingent each for the walk. At the end of the event, some interviews would be granted to the media to sensitize the public about UN Day.
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation would offer some of its discussion platforms to international relations experts to provide more insight into the UN. The Ghana-United Nations Students Association, GUNSA, has been active within the UN system in Ghana by organizing debates and other public events on UN themes. These are complemented by the Information Services Department, ISD, which mounts exhibitions on the UN from its gallery.
On October 25, there would be a flag-raising ceremony and a signing of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta.
In terms of Ghanaian personalities whose direct or indirect roles have etched Ghana on the global body, the name of Mr. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General leads a tall list of such gems. He became the second African after Egypt’s Boutrous-Boutrous Ghali to hold the prestigious title. Ghana assumed membership in the UN one year after political independence in 1957.
Founding Leader Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was a key player in the multilateral field as he believed in global partnerships and solidarity as the most acceptable means of approaching issues and situations. Succeeding Political Leaders of Ghana have also charted the path of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness. Ghana has become a reference point and poster of good democratic practices, having held itself together in the long walk of the fourth republic which began in 1992.
Ghana is the ninth largest contributor to UN Peacekeeping Operations. Avowed to help in brokering peace and keeping the peace around the world, Ghana has sent troops to conflict-riddled countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Cambodia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Rwanda, Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d’ Ivoire.
The Preparatory Meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Ad-hoc Planning Committee for the Observance of the 77th United Nations Day in Ghana was chaired by Mrs. Joyce Asamoah-Koranteng, a Director at the Multilateral Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
