United Nations in Ghana

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Ghana:

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18 November 2020

UN Deputy Secretary-General Presents UN Ghana’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan to the President of Ghana

Like all countries around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant adverse effects on Ghana’s economy and has further impacted on other sectors such as health, education and agriculture. Nonetheless, the country is gradually picking up and businesses have started performing better than six months ago. Findings from a second round COVID-19 Business Tracker Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service with support from UNDP and the World Bank reveal that even though Ghanaian businesses are recovering, firms continue to report decline in sales, difficulties in sourcing inputs, and challenges in finding financial resources to cover revenue shortfall. Other sectors are also functioning, but not to their full capacity. Recognizing the broad socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, the United Nations in April this year issued a framework to help countries to address the challenges, protect people, and build back better. The “United Nations Framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19: shared responsibility, global solidarity and urgent action for people in need” calls for investing in health systems, protecting people, promoting economic recovery, creating macro-economic stability and investing in social cohesion. It calls for strong multilateral cooperation and urges countries to seize the opportunity of COVID to recover more sustainably – focusing on a greener route towards carbon-neutrality, investing in a more gender-equal recovery and harnessing the opportunities that the digital and technological transformations offer. In line with this global UN Framework, the UN in Ghana, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has developed its country specific COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Plan (SERRP) that will assist Ghana to recover and build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic in a more sustainable and inclusive way. The plan repurposes about $91m of existing resources and commits to raising an additional $39m over the next 12 – 18 months. The UN in Ghana’s Plan builds on the its immediate COVID 19 response – the COVID-19 Country Preparedness and Response Plan (CPRP) - and is aligned to Government priorities – seeking to address the health challenges, mitigate the socio-economic impacts, and support Ghana to build back better. A number of the initiatives within SERRP support the Government’s own ‘Obaatan Pa” CARES programme. During her visit to Ghana, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General (DSG), Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed presented the plan to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The presentation signals the official launch of the document and a commitment of the United Nations in the country to stand with the Government and relevant partners to work to support Ghana recover from the multiple impacts of the pandemic and stay on track towards the attainment of the SDG and achieve its goal of becoming resilient and self-reliant. The discussions between the President and DSG centered around recovering from the pandemic, the need for public education and sensitization on the strict adherence to COVID -19 mitigation measures, more research around the mode of transmission, mutation and trajectory of the pandemic in Ghana, expanding services for treatment of severe cases and need for African countries to also invest in vaccine production. Ms. Mohammed commended Ghana for her determination to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The DSG also highlighted the importance of sustaining peace and stability, as well as investing in the youth, both in Ghana and the African continent.

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20 March 2020

COVID-19 Local Outbreak Situation - Ghana

The latest situation reports are available at the Ghana Health Service dedicated website on COVID-19. 1. In response to the outbreak, the Government has issued a number of directives and other control measures to prevent further importation of cases and local transmission. These directives include: A travel advisory – Any traveler (with the exception of Ghanaians and those with resident permits) who, within the last 14 days, has been to countries that have recorded at least 200 cases of persons infected of COVID-19, would not be permitted into the country; mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for persons who arrive in country from affected countries. 2. A 4-week ban on mass gatherings including funerals, church services and schools, effective 16 March 2020. Certain activities/events have been suspended while others are advised to open/operate only under enhanced hygiene. Please visit the Ghana Health Service website for details. The country’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was activated and has been engaged since January 2020. The EOC meetings are chaired by the Minister of Health. Response activities are organized by the following sub- groups: Coordination Surveillance/points of entry Case management Laboratory and Risk communication. This structure is replicated at sub-national levels in the regions and districts. The President on 11 March 2020 announced a $100 million fund for COVID-19 preparedness and response in Ghana. For all official updates on COVID-19 visit the Government of Ghana website at: http://www.ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/ Global outbreak situation WHO Situation Report: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/ WHO Real Time Dashboard: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd

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21 June 2021

Climate-proof adaptation revitalizes a local economy and empowers women in Ghana

Climate change and unpredictable flooding make the river in Mframafaw periodically impassable. It is a huge problem for Madam Meliama Sulemana, a farmer, and her seven children. When it floods, Madam Meliama and her children are cut off from the nearby market where she sells her produce, and from their school. After consultations with the local community, a culvert and a bridge are being constructed to channel the floodwaters away from the community and provide a safe access-way to local services. The construction is under the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project. The GrEEn project is a four-year initiative of the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). It is funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa, SNV and UNCDF. It aims at creating greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses in the Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana; helping people like Ms Sulemana. Mframafaw is a lowland farming community, about 25km from Offinso in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A few years ago, Ms Sulemana and her family depended on income from the farm for food and school fees for her children. She planted maize, oranges and rice. Her high hopes for the future have faded as climate change has made it difficult for her and her family to make a living or access basic services like schools and hospitals. “The situation has gotten so bad that we leave the fruits to rot in the farms since we do not see any point in harvesting them when we know there’s no way to get them to the market” said Ms Sulemana. “In the past I used to make enough money from my farm and was even able to save but now I barely earn enough to feed my family. Without external assistance, pregnant women in this town find it impossible to access healthcare during the raining season,” she added. Today, the GrEEn project is taking the Local Climate Adaptive Living facility to Phase II in Ghana, using LoCAL's innovative performance-based climate resilience grants, hosted by UNCDF, to channel finance to local governments for locally led adaptation actions. Activities, guided by the needs of the community, might include land regeneration, green economic investments or climate proofed infrastructure development, as in Mframafaw.

One of the benefits of the LoCAL approach is its flexibility, allowing local communities to identify their needs and collaborate in finding a climate-proof solution. Over the years, the village and local government authorities have tried to construct makeshift bridges over the river, which now breaks its banks every rainy season. The bridges are washed away whenever there is a heavy downpour. The women also tried splitting their harvest into small bundles to carry on their heads through the floodwaters, or contract local men with access to motorized tricycles to help them transport their goods. But these options proved either time consuming, hazardous and or costly. According to Ms Sulemana and other women in the community, the plans for the bridge and culvert come just in time as climate change had collapsed commercial farming activities and the village children were missing out on school. With the construction of the bridge and culvert under the GrEEn initiative, children will now find it easy to travel to school and farming activities are expected to resume.

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11 January 2022

Over 400 youth gather at the 13th Session of Ghana International Model UN Conference

“Learning about diplomacy, consensus building, conflict resolution and tolerance are skills that will be useful in your personal and professional lives if you want to excel”, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani told young delegates attending the 13th Session of the Ghana United Nations Model UN (GIMUN) 2022 conference. Addressing the delegates on the theme “Driving Recovery in Uncertain Times”, Mr. Abani highlighted the interconnectedness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as summed up in the 5 Ps (People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership). He challenges the participants, most of whom are students, to apply what they learn from the conference in their academic desires. The GIMUN conference is an annual event aimed at imbibing in young people a sense of responsibility towards addressing global issues, creating awareness of the works of the United Nations and impacting the skills of public speaking and negotiation. For the first time since its inception, about 80 per cent of the conference participants were females. Thrilled by this development, the Head Mistress of St. Louis Girls Senior High School, Mrs. Ama Kyerewaa Benefo applauded fellow school heads for their efforts to ensure the registration of more females. She further implored the young delegates to commit to putting into practice the virtues and diplomatic skills acquired during the conference, which ran from January 5 – 7. In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of GIMUN, Mr. Philip Gyamfi, noted that intensive global efforts are crucial to driving recovery and ensuring global prosperity post-COVID-19 pandemic. Optimistic about the opportunities that the pandemic presents as the world finds new ways of engagement, he called for strengthened collaboration amongst member countries of the United Nations to ensure a safer and healthier planet as the world navigates the uncertainty of this time. Highlighting the inability of many young people in the rural areas and less endowed schools to participate in, and benefit from, the conference, Mr. Gyamfi acknowledged that support the public sector, civil societies organisation, and the general public, is the only way to overcome this challenge and to help achieve inclusivity at all levels. Admonishing the young delegates, the Colombian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Claudia Turbay Quintero noted that SDGs and the processes to achieve them worldwide should be the critical points of activities and discussion at the conference, including the peculiar challenges they face at this moment in time. She said the conference offers a unique opportunity for simulating what takes place at the UN amongst global leaders in making decisions towards safeguarding of our planet as a whole. For his part, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Maher Kheir urged the young delegates to intensify advocacy on the SDGs, adding that it is a principal way to translate these important discussions into actual results. Dr. Maame Adwoa Gyekye-Jandoh, Head of the Political Science Department, University of Ghana, representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University, reiterated the aims of the annual conference as laudable to prepare young people for global competitiveness and leadership, to become worthwhile active and informed global citizens. The next GIMUN is scheduled to take place in July 2022.

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21 December 2021

Students in Ghana share their understanding and knowledge on human rights to mark Human Rights Day

The United Nations Information Centre in Ghana marked the 2021 Human Rights Day with an outreach event engaging some 100 students and staff of the Ghana Christian International High School, in Dodowa, Accra. During the session, selected students from the Junior and Senior High classes shared their understanding and knowledge on human rights through their own artworks that were displayed during the event. In a presentation on the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ms. Cynthia Prah, National Information Officer at the UN Information Centre, Accra, elaborated on each of the articles and answered many questions from the students to enhance their knowledge of their rights as human beings and to empower them to respect, support and protect the rights of others. Daniel Nortey explained his artwork which depicts five human faces representing the diversity of the human race. He said, even though the faces are different, they represent one form, which is humanity, and for which reason everyone deserves to be treated equally. Other artworks by the students depicting different inscriptions and communicating different messages, revealed that "one's right ends at where another person’s right begins" and "there's no right without resources". According to Mercy Atta Motte, a Year 8 student, “people may have the right to something, but lack of resources may impede such rights” and therefore it behooves upon us to recognise this fact and work towards ensuring the availability of resources if we are to enjoy our rights. Engaging the students further, Araba Hammond, one of the students sharing her thoughts and lessons said, “rights come with responsibility”. She therefore admonished her colleagues to play their roles as citizens to be able to enjoy such rights. Ms. Jesse Agbozo of Year 13 expressed appreciation to the United Nations Information Center, Accra, for choosing their school to observe Human Rights Day and to educate them on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She added that lessons learned will help them to not only talk about human rights but also to fight for the rights of others. She added that it is important that people are educated on their rights to be empowered In a final submission, Ms. Cynthia Prah admonished the students to speak to issues by either writing pieces of articles or stories for publication in the local media and on social media platforms and to advocate against the infringement of people's rights. She also advised that there's the need for people to speak up about their challenges to the right people and authorities to prevent abuse of any form. An exhibition of human rights posters and the students’ artwork was mounted for two days.

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21 December 2021

UNODC and Ghana Prisons Service launch new prison reform project

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Ghana Prisons Service, in partnership with the US Embassy in Ghana, have launched a three-year prison reform project. The initiative aims at strengthening the compliance of the Ghana Prisons Service with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, otherwise referred to as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the State Department of the United States of America, the project will focus on improving prison conditions, including health and basic services, the classification, categorization and allocation of prisoners as per their individual risk and needs and on enhancing prisoners’ access to sustainable rehabilitation programmes. In a keynote address by the Chief Director at the Ministry of Interior, Ms Adelaide Anno-Kumi on behalf of the Minister for the Interior, noted that the prison reform project could not come at a better time, considering that there is a new community sentencing bill on the way which will help to decongest prisons. She reminded the audience that the purpose of imprisonment, according to the Nelson Mandela Rules, is to protect society from crime and to reduce reoffending, which can only be achieved if the period in prison is used to prepare the prisoners for the re-integration into society upon release and to lead a law abiding and self-supporting life. The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, H.E Ms Stephanie S. Sullivan, said the United States will continue to support Ghana’s effort to strengthen the prison service, adding that the new project is an opportunity to help improve the safety, security, and transparency of Ghana’s prison system, thereby increasing public confidence in the justice system. The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr Isaac Kofi Egyir, made reference to the fruitful previous collaboration between the Service and UNODC during the drafting of a new prison bill, which soon will be submitted to the Attorney General’s Office, and the procurement of personal protective equipment helping to prevent infections in prisons, and highlighted the immense importance of the new long-term collaboration. The launch, which took place in Accra, on December 8, 2021, was attended by Officers from the Ghana Prison Service, UNODC officials, members of civil society organizations and other stakeholders, and was followed by a two-days introductory workshop for 25 senior prison officials on prison management in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules.

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25 November 2021

United Nations in Ghana takes its NoManel campaign to the public as Ghana kick-starts 16-Days of activism

To kick start the campaign, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection led key stakeholders, including the United Nations in Ghana, to officially launch the period. The event was attended by several Heads of UN agencies, ambassadors, development partners, youth groups and students. In a solidarity message, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani noted that gender-based violence is a “shadow pandemic” which violates the human right of victims and poses many threats to families and societies. He said violence against women and girls in all forms is an outrage, and it must stop”, adding that only by ensuring their inclusion in decision-making can we bring about the change we want to see. He therefore, called on the parliament of Ghana to prioritise passing and acting on the Affirmative Action Bill to ensure gender balance in decision-making. He further reaffirmed UN’s continuous support to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Civil Society Organizations and other relevant stakeholders in the fight to achieve gender equality. The Chairperson for the UN Gender Team, Ms. Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba presented the #NoManel campaign, a UN in Ghana-led initiative to encourage and influence the inclusion of women and girls in speaking engagements and decision-making processes. Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Ms. Charles-Monwuba noted that for a country like Ghana that has qualified females in all spheres, it is only prudent to have these women seated on every decision-making table. She advised that to ensure gender balance, everything in the society should be seen from the gender perspective. In support of the #NoManels initiative, the over 200 audience at the event took a pledge to drive the campaign of ensuring the participation and representation of women at meetings and processes in Ghana. In a keynote address read on her behalf by the Chief Director at the Ministry of Gender, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Acting Minister of Gender, Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah said gender-based violence continues to be a barrier to achieving gender equality (SDG 5) despite the many interventions to end the menace. This, according to her, calls for a study to determine factors and measures that are proving effective and that could be scaled up. She encouraged the public and agencies to sustain the campaign by blowing the whistle against violence on women and girls even long after the 16 days period. The launch was also honored by the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana and the Spanish Ambassador to Ghana who took turns to render their country’s support and commitment to end gender-based violence. This year’s campaign is being observed under the theme “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now." Activities planned during this period include a walk on major streets in Accra calling for an end to gender-based violence, social media campaign on UN platforms, community engagement and street campaign on awareness creation.

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Press Release

24 January 2022

Joint United Nations Ghana Statement on International Day of Education

In a joint statement, the United Nations in Ghana highlights some key interventions that have enabled continuity of learning even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN adds that despite some challenges encountered by students in accessing and using some of the innovative tools and systems introduced to ensure learning continues, "it is obvious that Ghana is striving to change course to transform education, and the United Nations in Ghana is delighted to partner with the government in its mission. The UN calls for a more coherent and coordinated support by partners and the urgent need to enhance the digital space for increased accessibility by all towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 4.

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Press Release

15 November 2021

Laureates from Ghana, Palestine and Peru win 2021 UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development

The laureates were selected by an independent International Jury and will receive an award of US $50,000 each. 113 nominations were submitted by the governments of 54 Member States and 8 organizations in official partnership with UNESCO. The main selection criteria were the projects’ potential for transformation, their innovative quality and ability to embrace all three dimensions of sustainability: The economy, the society and the environment. World Vision, Ghana World Vision was chosen for its “Unlock Literacy Project (UL)”, which promotes a holistic approach to the development of literacy focusing on critical thinking, a cor e competency for sustainability. The project aims to empower children at the primary level to think critically about local issues and take actions, as well as to make reading exciting through multi-lingual education. Going beyond traditional literacy approaches, the project is rewarded its action-oriented, peer-to-peer approach to learning involving whole-communities. It carries potential for further scaling up nationally through cooperation with formal education. Media Development Center, Birzeit University, Palestine The Media Development Center of the Birzeit University in Palestine views media as an integral part of social change and sustainable development and as a means to empower women and men living in marginalized communities with skills to participate in public life. The project “Media and Information Literacy for Sustainable Societies” aims at developing media and information literacy through practical learning-by-doing and training through dialogue. The project is rewarded for its youth-centered approach in generating societal changes through dialogue and cooperation, while focusing on the role of media in encouraging the participation of citizens in public life. Kusi Kawsay School, Peru In remote areas of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru, Kusi Kawsay Andean School & Ñawpa Ñan Cultural Eventshave been promoting the protection and preservation of Indigenous people’s rights, culture, values and livelihoods over the last decade. The project is recognized for addressing many key elements of education for sustainable development, namely respect for indigenous and local culture and values that promotes human dignity, community-based approaches and action to respond to global challenges. Funded by the Government of Japan, the Prize rewards exceptional projects and programmes on education for sustainable development undertaken by institutions, organizations or other entities in the field of ESD to generate and scale up action at all levels of education and learning, and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. During the Prize-giving ceremony, Princess Abze Djigma (Burkina Faso), Chair of the International Jury of the UNESCO-Japan Prize and Chair of the H.R.H. Princess Abze Djigma Foundation, will moderate a panel discussion with the laureates. The award ceremony will take place during the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO.

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Press Release

21 October 2021

Africa beyond aid: mobilising the youth around innovative ideas, to reimagine a prosperous continent

Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, noted that Africa is one of the most youthful continents globally, with a population that can shape the continent's development trajectory. “Ensuring that young people assume their rightful role in Africa’s growth will require investment in the digital skills so they can respond to the evolving needs of the continent. However, we must do our intervention to harness the value of the youth aligned to human rights and gender equality. That is why our education policy must be gender sensitive. When we create a future where every youth can reach their fullest potential, only then can we say we are creating a brighter future for the continent”. A press release issued by the organisers notes that the 2021 Summit is taking place under the auspices of the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Youth Authority (NYA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda. The three-day summit promises an offer of several enriching and highly interactive sessions, ranging from high-level plenary discussions, a masterclass on advocacy and active citizenship, a made-in-Africa marketplace, a youth development stakeholders roundtable, among others. The Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa (UNDP), Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, noted that the theme for this year’s summit is important, timely and empowering. “We truly believe in the transformative potential of the AfCFTA – and Africa's Money working for Africa's Development. UNDP will work steadfastly to translate the ambition and promise of the AfCFTA into opportunities for young people and strengthen preparedness by mobilising to produce Made in Africa," she added.

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