The United Nations Country Team in Ghana, led by the Resident Coordinator Mr. Charles Abani, paid a courtesy call on President-elect H.E. John Dramani Mahama to extend their warm congratulations on his victory in the 2024 elections. Mr. Abani commended the political leadership for their maturity and commitment, which ensured successful and peaceful elections, noting that Ghana continues to be a beacon of hope and pride for the African continent. Referring to the President-elect’s 120-Day Social Contract, which outlines his immediate action plans for his first 120 days in office, Mr. Abani pledged the UN’s full support in aligning its efforts with the new government’s priorities and the aspirations of the Ghanaian people. In response, President-elect Mahama expressed his gratitude to the UN team for their timely visit and congratulations. He affirmed his readiness to address the expectations of Ghanaians and welcomed the UN’s collaboration in achieving the shared vision of the “Ghana We Want,” as emphasized during his campaign. Additionally, he assured the team of his government’s commitment to fully implement the Affirmative Action Bill and to surpass the 30% benchmark for appointments, promoting gender inclusivity and equity.The meeting, held at the President-elect’s residence, was attended by representatives from key UN agencies and partners, including UNHCR Ghana, UNOPS, International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, UNICEF Ghana, International Labour Organization, UN Women UN-Habitat, Unesco Ghana, UNDSS, and the UN Information Centre.

On this International Human Rights Day 2024, we reflect on the universal principles of equality, dignity, and justice for all. The theme "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now" serves as a powerful reminder that human rights are not abstract ideals but tangible entitlements that must shape every aspect of our society.
This year marked a significant milestone for Ghana, with generally peaceful general elections held on December 7, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to democratic principles.  Democracy and human rights are deeply intertwined; one cannot flourish without the other. However, we must also recognize that democracy reaches its full potential only when the rights of every individuals — especially those who have been historically marginalized and disadvantaged — are protected and promoted. Ghana, as a newly elected member of the Human Rights Council, is in a key position to lead on ensuring that human rights are ‘a lived reality’ for everyone in Ghana. 
Human Rights: The Foundation of a Just Society
Human rights are the cornerstone of progress and unlocking potential. They empower individuals to live with dignity and to contribute meaningfully to society. They ensure that no one is excluded based on their gender, ability, age, socio-economic or other status. And they serve as a guiding framework for addressing inequality, discrimination, and injustice.
This year, Ghana made significant strides in advancing human rights as it witnesses its first female Vice President elect and passage of the Affirmative Action Bill, signifiers of steps towards achieving gender equality and women’s representation in leadership. The largely peaceful elections reaffirmed Ghana’s status as a leader in democratic governance and efforts to improve access to education and healthcare have helped strengthen the foundations of a rights-based society. 
Yet, challenges remain. As reports from the recent elections show, accessibility for persons with disabilities remains an issue and there is a clear need for more inclusive policies to access public spaces, education, and employment. Marginalized communities still face systemic inequities, particularly with regards to key populations. Rural communities need investments that address their unique challenges, from inadequate healthcare infrastructure to limited access to technology. These are not just development goals — they are human rights imperatives and will support Ghana to fulfil the human rights recommendations that it has accepted, including its most recent Universal Periodic Review.
Turning Policies into Realities
Ghana has made commendable progress in developing human rights frameworks. Yet policies alone are not enough — they must be implemented effectively. Moreover, it is essential to assess whether existing and new legislation meets the standards set by Ghana’s Constitution and its regional and international human rights commitments.
To make human rights a lived reality, Ghana must:
1.    Invest Resources: Adequate funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel are essential to support the implementation of human rights policies.
2.    Strengthen Capacities: Institutions, including Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up, and the Human Rights Committee must be further equipped with the resources, knowledge and tools to address systemic challenges.
3.    Engaged Communities: Policymaking and implementation must be participatory, ensuring that the voices of marginalized groups shape solutions tailored to their needs.
The recently-passed Affirmative Action Gender Bill offers an excellent opportunity to start a meaningful journey to achieve parity.
The Power of Human Rights Education
Education remains one of the most powerful tools for change. By strengthening awareness of human rights, we can challenge harmful practices, empower marginalized groups, and strengthen societal resilience. For policymakers and law enforcement, training on human rights principles ensures decisions and actions that reflect Ghana’s commitment to dignity and fairness. For young people (Ghana’s largest demographic and critical for progress), human rights education empowers them to become active citizens who advocate for change, contribute to addressing injustice, and build a future rooted in respect for all. 
A Call to Action
On this Human Rights Day, let us renew our commitment to upholding the rights for everyone in Ghana. Governments, civil society, the private sector, comunities and individuals must work together to ensure that human rights are not just aspirations but lived realities.
The United Nations in Ghana, recognizing the transformative force of human rights, is proud to support initiatives that advance human rights, from promoting inclusive governance to strengthening human rights education. We remain steadfast in our partnership with the government, civil society, and communities of Ghana to build a nation where the rights of all are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Human rights are not a gift — they are a guarantee. By taking bold action today, we can create a future where every person in Ghana can live with dignity, equality, and opportunity.
The time to act is now. Our rights, our future, right now.
 

The circa USD3 million three-year programme (2024-2027), is supported by the European Union and other key UN Member States through the United Nations Joint SDG Fund’s Digital High-Impact Track. It is expected to boost the productivity of approximately 25,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), primarily those led by youth and women.  The programme is being implemented jointly by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and  the UN Trade and Development under the auspices of the UN Resident Coordinator and the Ministry of Trade and Industry and in collaboration with key stakeholders. This joint programme also aims to crowd-in additional capital to support sustainable growth and address key barriers facing MSMEs, such as limited access to capital and financial services, low levels of digital literacy and skills to meet market demands, fragmented access to reliable business information and a lack of supportive policy frameworks for e-commerce. With MSMEs comprising an impressive 92 percent of businesses in Ghana, fostering a financial ecosystem that is more attuned to their needs, enhancing financial literacy, providing access to business tools, and creating clear market opportunities, is critical for driving sustainability and growth in the sector. This intervention will be bolstered by an enabling policy environment for e-commerce, alongside a strengthened capacity of Government to develop, implement, and monitor reforms, which will, in turn, drive MSME productivity. “This initiative is a timely boost for Ghana’s digital journey, especially for the MSMEs that form the backbone of our economy. By expanding access to financial services, strengthening digital skills, and creating a supportive policy environment, we are equipping our MSMEs to thrive and compete in an increasingly digital world. This intervention is therefore an investment in our businesses for a sustainable growth and resilience of our national economy.” Patrick Yaw Nimo, Chief Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry said at the inaugural project steering committee meeting held in Accra recently.The United Nations recently leveraged key platforms within the MSME and digital ecosystem to boost visibility and raise awareness of this new programme.  For instance, at the Ghana Digital Innovation Week  held in October 2024 the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, noted that, “This project reflects the United Nations' commitment to supporting Ghana’s digital transformation and promoting inclusive, sustainable development. By focusing on MSMEs, particularly those led by women and youth, we are helping to unlock their potential, ensuring they have the financial and digital tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. The UN is proud to work alongside the government and key stakeholders to drive progress that not only advances Ghana’s economic goals but also contributes to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly gender equality, decent work, and economic growth.”During the “Fintech for Inclusion Summit 2024”, the joint programme team further amplified the project’s objectives to a wide range of audience including market players as well as MSMEs. The inaugural project steering committee meeting was convened to illustrate the ambitions of the project to key stakeholders. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the UN Resident Coordinator, the meeting gathered key representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Enterprise Agency, Private Enterprises Federation, Civil Society Platform on SDGs as well as the European Union Delegation, representing the pool of contributors and funders. This project aligns with the European Union’s broader development goals across the continent. With its support, the EU is reinforcing its commitment to Africa’s digital transformation and inclusive growth, particularly empowering youth and women-led MSMEs in Ghana. During the meeting, it was clear that this project goes beyond traditional development aid by helping to reinforce Ghana’s Agenda 2030 financing ecosystem and catalyzing strategic investments that unlock public and private capital towards the Global Goals. “UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is in the driving seat for this joint programme to take advantage of its unique mandate of the UN’s catalytic finance entity for developing countries. Such a role is very much in line with the goals of the JSDGF and its contributors as it intends to provide de-risking capital that can unblock additional finance towards SDG-aligned targeted investments with potential for replication and scaling up” said Arianna GASPARRI, Technical Specialist, UNCDF. By the end of the implementation period, the project is set to create transformative and sustainable impact in Ghana’s MSME landscape by building enduring resilience and growth for 25,000 MSMEs.  Alongside providing access to financial services, the initiative will strengthen government-led business support infrastructure through the Digital Gateway, a one-stop resource for MSMEs. The initiative will also strengthen capacity of policy makers to implement and monitor policy reforms, through the use of the UNCTAD eTrade Reform Tracker, which will enhance long-term sustainability of government actions. Additionally, MSMEs will gain critical digital skills, encompassing both financial and business-oriented expertise. This joint programme is made possible thanks to the generous contributions to the Joint SDG Fund from the European Union and the Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Their support is driving a transformative movement towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Mr. Osei is married and is a trotro driver. He has been driving trotro, a popular mode of public transportation in Ghana for three years. Today, he's excited to be part of the #16Routes16Stations initiative, launched at the Odawna Lorry Station to kick start the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.  It aims at raising awareness and mobilising actions against GBV within the transport sector that carries millions of people every day."I've seen many things on the road, but violence against women and girls is something that's always disturbed me," Mr. Osei says. “Beating women is not good at all. I will make it a point to share information about GBV in my car” he added.  The #16Routes16Stations social drive is led by the UNFPA in collaboration with the collaboration with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), a member of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), MTN Ghana and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. It is expected to be launched in all the 16 regions across the country within the period of the 16 Days of activism from 25 November to 10 December 2024.  Speaking at the launch, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Charles Abani emphasized the need to avoid complacency in the fight against GBV. “We have heard countless stories of verbal and physical abuse, and in some cases, sexual harassment and exploitation. Vulnerable women and girls, often traveling alone or stranded at stations, are particularly susceptible to abuse. These incidents, including trafficking are a stark reminder that we cannot afford to remain complacent in our efforts to eliminate GBV” he noted.The UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, highlighted the role of the transport sector as a lifeline for ending GBV. “Public transport connects millions daily, providing a unique opportunity to share messages of hope, prevention, & action against GBV” he said. The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dakoa Newman, called for continuous action to eliminate gender-based violence."The reports of women being killed in their matrimonial homes or in public spaces are troubling and entirely unacceptable," Hon. Newman said. She added that "These incidents demand our collective and urgent action to fight GBV."  pledged the union's support for the initiative. "We are an appropriate body that can help to disseminate, to advocate, and then to do what we call behavior change," Mr. Abulbire said. "If all members in this union and other unions learn and spread this message, it will do the world good, and make sure GBV is stopped."Explaining the choice of Odawna for the launch of a social drive to end GBV, the Head of Gender and Human Rights at UNFPA and the brain behind this initiative, Dr. Doris Aglobitse, said "Odowna Station is one of the lorry stations that have connecting cars to all the 16 regions of Ghana. It is a crucial starting point because every region is represented here in terms of the drivers that work.  We will be able to connect with millions of Ghanaians through this lorry station drive." She said. Mr. Osei, the trotro driver, says he is committed to playing his part in preventing GBV. While he often faces verbal abuse in his line of work, he believes that campaigns like this will better equip him to manage such situations effectively. He also urged the public to avoid resorting to violence and instead seek proper channels for redress when facing abuse or attached.