Professor Fatima Denton, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), has challenged prevailing global narratives on the green transition, arguing that Africa must pursue transformation rather than simply transition in its quest for sustainable development. Speaking at the 8th Kwapong Lecture Series in Accra, Prof. Denton delivered a compelling lecture on the theme, "The Age of Contradictions: Reflections on Power, Narratives and Green Transitions."The event, co-hosted by UNU-INRA and the University of Ghana, brought together UN officials, academics, policymakers, climate and energy experts, civil society organisations, youth groups, diplomats and members of the media. Prof. Denton said Africa cannot afford to sideline its abundant natural resources in the global energy transition and must instead strategically harness them to drive inclusive growth and development."Africa has an opportunity to create its own safety net and maximize the benefits of the global energy transformation," she said. "We need a narrative that recognises the importance of Africa's resources to the global economy and the confidence to chart a development pathway that reflects our realities and aspirations."She stressed that Africa's development agenda should be shaped by its own priorities rather than external prescriptions, noting that the continent must move beyond discussions of transition to focus on long-term transformation. With around 600 million Africans still lacking access to electricity, she argued that Africa’s starting point is fundamentally different from that of industrialised economies. For the continent, the challenge is not simply achieving net zero, but simultaneously expanding energy access, creating jobs and advancing development.Questioning assumptions around technological leapfrogging, Prof. Denton asked: "Leapfrogging is good, but do we have the space to land comfortably?" She underscored the need for strong institutions, sound economic systems and social foundations to ensure innovation delivers tangible benefits to African societies. The lecture explored what Prof. Denton described as the contradictions at the heart of the global shift to low-carbon economies. While countries push for decarbonisation, demand for oil and gas remains strong and production continues in industrialised economies, including major European producers. At the same time, geopolitical tensions continue to influence energy priorities, while energy poverty remains a major challenge across much of Africa. She pointed to Mozambique’s natural gas and LNG resources as an example of the difficult choices African countries face in balancing decarbonisation with development.She also highlighted tensions surrounding concepts frequently associated with the green transition. Critical minerals, she noted, are often labelled "green" despite the environmental and social costs linked to their extraction, stressing that resources alone are not enough to deliver development. Likewise, emerging technologies and energy sources carry their own trade-offs: green hydrogen can place significant demands on water resources, while deep-seabed mining raises concerns about impacts on fragile ecosystems. Climate finance is presented as a solution to the climate crisis, yet it operates within systems that have historically struggled to deliver equitable outcomes. Prof. Denton questioned whether a transition that deepens existing fiscal vulnerabilities can ultimately be considered just or sustainable. Carbon markets, she added, are shaped as much by politics and institutions as by market forces. According to Prof. Denton, these contradictions raise critical questions about who defines the transition agenda, who benefits from it and who bears its costs.From an African perspective, she challenged participants to interrogate the assumptions underpinning the global transition discourse."Who defines what constitutes a transition? Whose terms are being used? Who decides what is green or what makes a mineral critical?" she asked.By posing questions such as "Justice for whom?" and "Critical for whom?", Prof. Denton called for greater recognition of African agency, expertise and priorities in shaping both development and energy transition pathways.Concluding her address, she urged African leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to take a deliberate and strategic approach to the continent's future."We must be intentional," she emphasised. Drawing lessons from China’s experience in building its manufacturing base, she challenged African countries to think more deliberately about how they organise themselves to turn their resources and opportunities into development.She noted that while research remains the foundation of knowledge and policymaking, Africa must move beyond research alone by drawing lessons from the private sector and local communities while embedding sustainability into development efforts."It is a whole-of-society approach," she said.The Kwapong Lecture Series has become a leading platform for critical reflection on Africa's natural resource governance, providing a space for distinguished scholars and practitioners to engage on issues shaping the continent's sustainable development future.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Ghana office has held its annual Family Liaison Outreach Community (FLOCK) activity, bringing staff and their families together for a day of learning, knowledge sharing and interactions.  The event was held simultaneously at the Country Office, the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Accra, and the Tamale and Bolgatanga Sub-Offices.Open to all WFP employees and their families, the event celebrated inclusion, learning, and community, reinforcing WFP's commitment to fostering a supportive and family-friendly workplace. Children were warmly welcomed by the Country Director, Ms Aurore Rusiga, before taking part in an engaging programme designed to introduce them to WFP's work. They visited various units across the offices, interacting with staff and learning how each team contributes to WFP's mission of supporting vulnerable communities and advancing food security in Ghana. The young visitors also toured some United Nations sister agencies and facilities, gaining a broader understanding of how the UN system works together to improve lives. The educational experience was complemented by fun-filled activities, including games, special treats, and the presentation of WFP FLOCK notepads for children designed to support child learning.FLOCK, which stands for Family Liaison Outreach Community – With or Without Kids, is an inclusive initiative that welcomes all WFP employees, regardless of family status. Whether single, in a relationship, a parent, or not, staff members are encouraged to be part of a vibrant community that promotes connection, mutual support, information sharing, and meaningful relationships. The event provided an opportunity for families to better understand WFP's work while strengthening bonds among colleagues beyond the workplace.Through initiatives like FLOCK, WFP Ghana continues to cultivate an inclusive organisational culture where employees and their families feel valued, connected, and supported.

The United Nations today facilitated a high-level dialogue that brought together the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Heads of UN Entities in Ghana and Heads of Corporations representing development partners to engage on electoral governance, democratic participation, and institutional strengthening.Co-led by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, the meeting brought together Heads of UN Agencies, Heads of Cooperation, and representatives of development partners for a candid and constructive exchange on issues critical to Ghana's electoral processes. As a trusted convener and partner in governance and development, the United Nations Ghana continues to provide strategic platforms for dialogue on democratic governance, electoral integrity, conflict prevention, and inclusive political processes through the Resident Coordinator’s system in Ghana. The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen dialogue between national institutions and development partners, ensuring that development cooperation remains responsive to national priorities and aligned with Ghana's democratic governance objectives. Such engagements are particularly valuable within the UN and development partners' programming and planning cycle, providing an opportunity to better understand emerging needs, identify areas for collaboration, and align technical and financial support with national priorities. The discussions were widely described as informative, insightful, useful, and engaging, reflecting the strong interest among partners in Ghana's electoral landscape and democratic institutions. Through an interactive question-and-answer session, participants explored a wide range of issues, including political financing, youth engagement, mis information and dis information, hate speech, violence against women in politics, women's participation and leadership in elections, electoral security, transparency, inclusion, institutional preparedness, and the evolving impact of technology on electoral processes.The EC Chairperson provided detailed insights into the EC’s work, ongoing reforms, and measures being implemented to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in elections. The discussions also highlighted efforts to promote inclusive political participation, particularly among women and young people, while addressing barriers that limit their engagement in democratic processes.Participants acknowledged the importance of continued attention to violence against women in politics and public life, recognizing that safe and inclusive participation is fundamental to democratic governance. Discussions on electoral security similarly highlighted the need for strong collaboration among institutions and stakeholders to safeguard peaceful and credible electoral processes. While no formal action points were agreed, the meeting successfully created opportunities for further bilateral discussions between the EC and individual development partners. The dialogue enabled partners to gain a deeper understanding of the EC’s priorities and the areas where targeted technical support may be required.One emerging area of interest was the strengthening of the EC’s capacity to respond to technological developments, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital information ecosystems on elections. In this regard, discussions pointed to potential opportunities for technical support, particularly from the European Union and other interested partners, towards the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Unit within the Electoral Commission to enhance its institutional capacity and readiness to address emerging challenges and opportunities.Mr. Zia Choudhury welcomed the openness and quality of the exchanges, emphasizing the importance of sustained engagement between democratic institutions and development partners. Beyond providing an opportunity for mutual learning, the dialogue strengthened understanding between the EC and development partners and laid the foundation for future cooperation in support of transparent, inclusive, peaceful, and credible electoral processes in Ghana. 

On Monday, 17 August 2026, the United Nations Security Advisor for Ghana, Ms. Lihong Shen, led the UN Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) team in a meeting with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and senior officials of the Ghana Police Service. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between UNDSS, the United Nations system and the Ghana Police Service and explored areas for continued cooperation on public safety and security.Ms Shen commended the IGP and the Ghana Police Service for their leadership in maintaining peace, security and social stability, including efforts to mediate tensions between religious groups and the effective response to incidences of robbery and crime in the country.The IGP welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with UNDSS and the UN. He highlighted the importance of police capacity-building, professionalism, merit-based career progression and staff development. The IGP also expressed support for the Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) training designed for personnel working in high-risk, volatile, or complex field zones by providing them with the knowledge and skills required to prevent and respond to the various security incidents that they might encounter.   He offered to facilitate access to appropriate police facilities and training environments. To strengthen coordination, he requested that UNDSS liaises directly with the Ghana Police Service’s Public Affairs function on public information, media and social media communications related to joint activities. He further requested coordination with the Police Liaison Officer to obtain relevant crime statistics to support UNDSS security analysis, risk assessment and situational awareness. The meeting concluded positively, with both sides expressing their commitment to close coordination and practical cooperation in police professional development, training, security and public safety.