Latest
Story
25 September 2023
Ghana marks International Day of Peace with the launch of the “I Pledge for Peace” campaign.
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Press Release
22 September 2023
In Ghana, Women and Young People Plead for an Inclusive Resolution to the Current Crises in West Africa and the Sahel
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Press Release
22 September 2023
2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial provides important opportunity to fill critical gaps and strengthen UN Peacekeeping
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals 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:
Publication
13 August 2023
UN Ghana 2022 Annual Report
The report captures the UNCT’s collective achievements along the four results areas of the UNSDP꞉ shared prosperous economy; social investment in people; protected and safe environment, and; inclusive, accountable governance, along with the UNCT’s cross-cutting priorities.
The report reflects the work done by the UNCT in partnership with the Government and people of Ghana to help the country achieve the ambitious goals set in the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (CPESDP), 2017–2024, as well as to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s (AU) 2063 Agenda. UN agencies, working jointly and leveraging their collective comparative advantage in various fields, have boosted Ghana’s resilience and drive towards further recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine and climate challenges. For instance the UNCT helped advance Ghana’s agriculture and industrial sectors by supporting policy and capacity building initiatives leading to greater agricultural productivity, the adoption of climate-action and deforestation-free production strategies, and inclusive rural development. It enabled 5,000 smallholder farmers to use improved seed, thereby cutting post-harvest losses to less than 5%, and supported agricultural-sector players’ participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The UNCT strengthened systems to deliver quality, sustainable, and transformative social services in health, education, nutrition and social protection sectors, which helped improve services and financing. It advocated the protection of social spending, supported the continuity of essential health services and improved access for underserved and vulnerable communities. This led to a sustained decline in disease-specific and child mortality. The UNCT supported the introduction of free technical and vocational education and training (TVET), which sharply increased TVET school enrolment from 13 000 in 2021 to 47 000, among others.
The report reflects the work done by the UNCT in partnership with the Government and people of Ghana to help the country achieve the ambitious goals set in the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (CPESDP), 2017–2024, as well as to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s (AU) 2063 Agenda. UN agencies, working jointly and leveraging their collective comparative advantage in various fields, have boosted Ghana’s resilience and drive towards further recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine and climate challenges. For instance the UNCT helped advance Ghana’s agriculture and industrial sectors by supporting policy and capacity building initiatives leading to greater agricultural productivity, the adoption of climate-action and deforestation-free production strategies, and inclusive rural development. It enabled 5,000 smallholder farmers to use improved seed, thereby cutting post-harvest losses to less than 5%, and supported agricultural-sector players’ participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The UNCT strengthened systems to deliver quality, sustainable, and transformative social services in health, education, nutrition and social protection sectors, which helped improve services and financing. It advocated the protection of social spending, supported the continuity of essential health services and improved access for underserved and vulnerable communities. This led to a sustained decline in disease-specific and child mortality. The UNCT supported the introduction of free technical and vocational education and training (TVET), which sharply increased TVET school enrolment from 13 000 in 2021 to 47 000, among others.
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Publication
20 April 2023
UN Ghana Newsletter - April 2023
Highlights in this edition include UN and partners' initiative to promote organic fertilizer in Ghana to fight food crisis and enhance farmers’ livelihoods, joint UN efforts towards effective implementation of Ghana's National Migration Policy for sustainable development, and 3rd cohort of UNICEF STARTUP LAB launched.
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Publication
27 March 2023
DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality in Ghana- An Op-ed by Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana
International Women's Day (IWD), held on 8 March globally, draws attention on women’s rights and gender equality, and on issues that affect women and girls. As rightly stated by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres “achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.” Gender-based discrimination harms everyone – women, girls, men, and boys, and so we must address it.
The 2023 IWD theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, shines a light on and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education, and promotes equal access and engagement in the digital transformation opportunities for women and girls. It also recognizes the enormous obstacles these women and girls, including those in Ghana, face — from structural injustices (such as the digital divide), marginalization, and violence, to cascading crises that affect them first and worst, to the denial of their personal autonomy and rights over their bodies and lives.
With a focus on gender inequality in the digital space, on IWD we expose issues on accessibility, usage and safety online. Just imagine - in 2022 only 63 per cent of women were using the Internet compared to 69 per cent of men, according to the International Telecommunication Union. A study (#gendersnap2022) of 51 countries revealed 38 per cent of women had personally experienced online violence. In Ghana, the 2021 Population and Housing Census records that 8 in 10 persons 12 years and older own mobile phones, the proportion was higher for males (85.8%) than females (80.7%). On the use of smart mobile phone, the statistics show 72.5% males and 66% females. For laptop computer, the proportion is 8.4% males and 5.1% females.
This is a systemic problem, and we must find lasting solutions if we are to bridge the gender gap in the digital space. Today, education, trade, business and innovation are evolving, and their transformation are dependent on technology. If women, the largest proportion of those trading, are to benefit from AfCFTA, they must embrace digital skills. Digital inequality diminishes women and girls’ opportunities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields. If those left behind are to develop the necessary digital skills to engage in digital spaces, we must take action to balance the equation in that space to give equal opportunity to all.
The UN in Ghana works with government, civil society, academia, the women’s rights movement, and private sector, to ensure we accelerate recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels, including delivering on SDG Goal 5 – achieving Gender Equality. Together with partners, the UN will continue to explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, while providing an opportunity to spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces.
It is indeed inspiring that Ghana’s rapid adoption of digital technologies since 2017 to tackle development needs has enabled women to access platforms and information otherwise unavailable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce - the buying and selling of goods electronically online - became increasingly popular, and its growth has not been stunted in a post-COVID environment. According to findings from UNDP’s COVID-19 Business Tracker, the use of digital technology (mobile money and internet) among businesses following the pandemic have only increased. And risen even further among women.
For example, women who are largely in the informal sector and engaged in the buying and selling of goods were greatly affected but according to Mamaga Akua Sabea Nyabor VII, who created the “Asigame market Place, and currently uses e-commerce as a source of income for many vulnerable women she deals with, e-commerce “is popular because of the many benefits. I have closed down my physical space shop which of course was taking a lot of money as rent and now operate my e-business -internet marketing. I take my payment through electronic funds transfer; mobile money and it makes life much easier for me”.
With Africa’s Internet economy estimated to reach $180 billion by 2025, according to the IFC, e-commerce can drive inclusive growth and create three million jobs across Africa by 2025 if technology and online markets are well utilized. This could be exponential for Ghana, particularly with a large population of youth that need employment. However, the figures show that women are at high risk to be left behind without the proper support and training.
To this end, the UN has been working to address the economic performance of MSMEs in the country. Looking to Agribusiness, the UN has launched the “Expanding the Kaizen initiative by enhancing sustainable agribusiness” project, where businesses will use UNIDO’s digital dashboard system to enhance resource efficiency, the environmental sustainability, and the social welfare of MSMEs. It looks to further enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs in the country. And UNCTAD’s work with the Ministry of Trade and Industry on e-commerce readiness is a critical piece in accelerating digital trade, especially for women.
On education, there is a positive start for the first STEM clinic in Ghana which marks the beginning of a new chapter for girls' participation in STEM education. However, girls’ participation in STEM subjects in secondary schools is still lower than that of boys, with only 39% of students studying STEM subjects being girls. This gap remains a major barrier to their participation in tech design and governance. The pervasive threat of online gender-based violence, coupled with a lack of legal recourse too often forces them out of the digital spaces they do occupy. The focus on Ghana on Life-long learning and skills (through the Ministry of Education’s selection of this track as a priority in the global transforming education agenda) is a welcome boost.
In partnership with the IamtheCODE Foundation, the UN Habitat and UNHCR in Ghana have launched the “Digital and Reproductive Health Learning for Girls and Boys in Informal Settlements” programme to improve digital and reproductive health education in selected slums and informal settlements in Ghana. Furthermore, through UNFPA, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other partners have developed the WAWABA SRH, a user-centered web-based SRH platform that directs users to nearest locations to access friendly SRH services and is an integral part of the You-Must-Know (YMK) App of the GHS. Today, WAWABA/YMK has been accessed by over 50,000 adolescents. Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the launch of the BOAME App to support the fight against domestic and gender-based violence, is providing avenues for gender-based violence to be channeled and addressed.
Digital technology is opening new doors for the global empowerment of women, girls and other marginalized groups and we must take advantage of this real opportunity. The UN in Ghana will continue to work with Government and partners across board to ensure we deliver adequately on SDG Goal 5 and its associated indicators by 2030. Gender equality and women’s empowerment, alongside harnessing the digital transformation opportunities, are at the heart of the UN’s work as contained in the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and we stand in readiness to support women and girls to close the gender gap and stand as equal champions in the digital transformation drive.
And in spite of progress, much remains to be done. Let us work together – across governments, the private sector and civil society – to build a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women, girls, men, and boys everywhere.
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Story
25 September 2023
Ghana marks International Day of Peace with the launch of the “I Pledge for Peace” campaign.
In a remarkable display of commitment to peace and in commemoration of the International Day of Peace, the United Nations, Ghana in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC), have launched the “I Pledge for Peace” campaign, a year-long campaign that seeks to strengthen messaging around peaceful elections in 2024 and create awareness of the need for tolerance, respect and mutual coexistence. With the nation poised for a pivotal election season in the not too future, the “I Pledge for Peace” campaign promises to bring together Ghanaians from all walks of life to make a strong commitment to uphold peace in the country before, during and after the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The “I Pledge for Peace” campaign seamlessly aligns with the theme for the International Day of Peace - Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals which is a call to action that recognizes individual and collective responsibility to foster peace.
Speaking at the event held in Accra, a Board Member of the NPC, Professor Susubiribi Krobea Asante, touched on the crucial role of the NPC in Ghana on conflict prevention, management, and resolution. “It must be said that building sustainable peace is a process which requires the efforts of both state and non-state actors and a daily renewal of the commitment to peace and love for our common humanity” he emphasized.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani acknowledged peace as the foundation upon which prosperity and progress are built and urged Ghana to commit to maintaining its peaceful reputation, especially in the lead-up to elections. “We, therefore, stand ready to continue to collaborate and support the country-level, regional, and international engagement to address the perception of inequality and impartiality, promote tolerance and inclusion, dialogue, and conflict prevention across the fringes of the Ghanaian society,” he stated.
Representing the Ministry of Interior was the Chief Director, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi who reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to supporting the UN in Ghana and NPC on the peace campaign initiative, and many other strategic initiatives in promoting peace in Ghana and the Sub-region. “We need to put our shoulders to the wheel and commit to it. We need to walk the talk and not just talk,” she said.
The yearlong “I Pledge for Peace” campaign will encompass a wide range of activities and initiatives designed to engage communities, schools, and political systems across Ghana. From peace dialogues to a national peace walk, the campaign aims to foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility among Ghanaians, aiming to reach some one million people.
The day was filled with the highlights of the “I Pledge for Peace” campaign, the unveiling of the “I Pledge for Peace” logo, and the award ceremony for the winners of the logo contest. 17-year-old Kelvin Essuman of Bishop Herman College was adjudged the winner of the logo competition. His logo will feature on all communications products designed and intended for the campaign.
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Story
11 September 2023
A Cleaner Palm Oil Production
The green landscape, mostly characterized by oil palm plantation, is a beautiful, calming, and refreshing sight to behold when entering parts of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The region is one of the most suitable areas for oil palm cultivation. Ghana is noted to be the third major palm oil producing country in Africa, and the sector plays an important role in rural livelihoods and local economic development.
Artisanal and small-scale palm oil producers occupy a greater share of Ghana’s palm oil processing industry, producing 60–80% of the country’s palm oil. However, the processing systems used by the palm oil producers are mainly the traditional metal cooking pots and steel tanks. These are loaded with the palm nuts and set on the traditional cooking stove using an open fire, with excessive smoke, polluting the environment. The pollution that emits from most of the artisanal and small-scale palm milling and oil production centers also come from wastewater generated in palm processing. The common waste management practices include burning of solid wastes and discharge of untreated liquid into the environment. These poor waste management practices are further affecting the environment, climate, and human health.
Enduring Pollution for Decades
Ruth Ofosuhemaa has been in the artisanal palm oil production business for 20 years. She works as a leader of Joe Farms and Processing Enterprise, where she supervises 40 palm oil producers comprising 30 women and 10 young men. She narrates the hazards of their business.
“Our biggest problem here is the smoke. This enters our eyes and most of us have developed red and itchy eyes. We often get cough and sick due to how bad the smoke is”, noted Ruth in Achiase, a district capital in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The conditions under which most of these artisanal and small-scale palm oil producers work, is a challenging one. Clouded in smoke, it was difficult to see the faces of Ruth and her colleagues at work. They basically combine manual methods with rudimentary tools and use a variety of low-efficient machines in producing the palm oil for soap making and for consumption.
“We work all day, and the smoke is unbearable. We normally close late but have to wake up around 12 midnight to continue working because the machines are few and not fast. So, if you don’t wake up early, you will not be able to process your palm nut”, added Madam Adzara in Damang, located in the Kwaebibirem Municipal District of the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The smoke at these centers, as being described by Ruth and Adzara, emanates from the fuel used for heating. The women rely heavily on car tyres, fibre, bamboo, and firewood as sources of energy for producing the palm oil. These produce pollutants including smoke and so much heat, which impact the environment and human health adversely.
“The artisanal palm oil processers are producing more than half of the country’s palm oil but the oil is mostly of low quality due the traditional processing method. This is forcing the refineries to still be importing a lot of palm oil for various use”, noted Mac Makafui Amedzi, Mill Engineer at Solidaridad West Africa.
As noted by Makafui, though Ghana’s palm oil production is said to have increased over the decades, the country is a net importer of palm oil. In 2021, the value of palm oil imported by Ghana was $289million as against an export value of $78.1million. This calls for urgent attention to address the challenges in the sector.
Local Technology to the Rescue
Recognizing the needs and gaps, under its Nationally Determined Contributions Support Programme (Deep Dive), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have supported 10 low value grants that is improving energy efficiency and waste management in palm oil processing sites in 11 communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
“We were using about 2 weeks to process the palm oil. But now, with these new machines, we spend only about 5 hours to complete the process. There is no more smoke, and the environment we are working now is very hygienic”, elated Dorothy Ankapong in Bamanase in the Denkyembour District of the Eastern Region stated.
Through the project, 800 beneficiaries with more than half being women, now have access to improved energy efficient locally produced machinery including boilers, conveners, ovens, clarifiers, expellers, steamers, sustainable waste management technologies and boreholes for easy access to water.
“We appreciate the new machines. First, we used to spend a whole day taking the fresh palm nuts from the bunch which is very stressful but now, with the machines, we are using about 20-30 minutes”, expressed Dora Awuku, Women’s leader at Tweapease No.2 Palm Oil Processing Center in the Birim North District, Eastern Region.
Technology has a critical role to play in mitigating climate change. The introduction of the locally manufactured technologies is providing innovative solutions to alleviate the decades of discomfort of Dorothy, Dora and the hundreds of women and young men benefiting from the intervention. This is not only impacting their health but also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and thus protecting the planet.
“I am a Mechanical Engineer graduate of the Accra Technical University and always had the desire to modernize traditional ways of processing agriculture produce. I built these palm oil milling machines from scratch, mostly using local raw materials. I also work with local artisans and training them to ensure proper maintenance of the machines”, proudly stated Joshua Oluwadare, Engineer in charge of the new factory at the Joe Farms and Processing Enterprise.
For the palm oil processors, access to new technologies means increased production, stress-free processing, less processing time, less energy use, no more smoke, hygienic working environment, and more livelihood opportunities.
“I used to spend about 6000 Ghana cedis on diesel per month to run the old machines during peak seasons but now, am spending about Ghc1,500 with the electricity. What is fascinating is that I was producing only about 4 tons of oil daily but now, am doing 20 tons because I now have 120 women processors instead of the 30 processors I used to have. More so, the 4 tons sack was giving us 30 of the 25 liter gallons but now we get 45 gallons”, stated Appiah Ampofo, Owner of Ampofo A. Oil Mills & Trading in Asuom, one of the new milling centers supported under the project at Asuom in Kwaebibirem Municipality, Eastern Region.
Capitalizing Private Capital
Investment is needed to increase climate resilience and lessen the negative impacts of climate change on the environment. To unlock investment to manage the risks associated with climate change, UNDP has put greater engagement with the private sector at the heart of its climate initiatives. This is being achieved by identifying pipeline of projects that can draw private investment to blend with public finance to ensure that key economic sectors grow in a resilient manner.
“I own 310 acres of oil palm plantation and I am only providing the center for the women to process their palm nuts. I charge 5% of the liters of oil produced for running the center. The new factory is good, and I have personally so far invested over 1.6million Ghana cedis on various items including land preparation, structure, wiring, electricity transformer and electricity connectivity. This is to complement the UNDP fund for us to get a standard factory”, noted Mr.
Yaw Awusi Antwi, Owner of Joe Farms and Processing Enterprise.
The comfort being enjoyed by women like Dorothy, Dora and their peers is a good example of the transformation that can be realized in catalyzing private sector capital towards sustainable development.
“The machines are helping us a lot. Our only challenge is to get three additional steamers to meet the market demand from the refineries which we are currently not able to meet. I could have purchased these steamers myself, but I have so far invested close to 70,000 Ghana cedis in the new factory, and we are grateful for the financial support from the project, which made everything possible”, Appiah, Owner of Ampofo A. Oil Mills & Trading added.
The roles played by the different actors involved in the project - Government, private sector, the communities and the implementing NGOs like Solidaridad West Africa, Organization for Livelihood Empowerment Services (OLIVES), Plan for Change Ghana, and Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association of Ghana, attest to the power of multistakeholder partnerships. This collaboration has improved energy efficiency, public health, and a safe environment for people and planet.
By scaling up solutions that work, the artisanal and small-scale palm oil producing women and men now have the power to transform their carbon-intensive footprints to one that’s greener, cleaner, and more sustainable. Public-private partnerships passed the test, calling for more private engagements to unlock investments in climate technologies and manage the risks associated with climate change towards a better, cleaner, and safer future for all.
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Story
19 September 2023
UNAIDS organizes a 3-Day strategic campaigning workshop to unite forces and develop strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS and related issues.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS),78 million people have been infected with HIV and 35 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the first HIV cases were reported over 35 years ago. Stigma and discrimination are recognized as key impediments to the HIV response at every step, limiting access to critical services targeting people living with HIV/AIDS.
To deliberate and collaborate on essential problems relating to HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, treatment, and advocacy, UNAIDS has organized a 3-day workshop JUTA members and key partners.
The workshop, which was held from 5th to 7th September in Akosombo, aims to strengthen and equip participants with campaigning strategies, share best practices, and chart a path forward to accelerate progress toward the fight towards HIV/AIDS and related issues.
The UNAIDS Country Director for Ghana, Mr. Héctor Sucilla Pérez, expressed enthusiasm about the workshop's potential impact to help prevent HIV issues and develop HIV response strategies through combined effort of the United Nations in Ghana. He said the UN will continue to support HIV response. “We cannot put HIV response on hold until it becomes alarming, it must be done daily.” He said.
“Making sure that no one is left behind, these are things that must cut across… {We need} to make sure that people living with HIV are not discriminated against” said the UN Resident Coordinator Charles Abani.
The facilitators for the day, UNAIDS Consultant Mr. Gnanam Devadass and the Influencing and Partnerships Director of UNAIDS in Geneva, Ms. Muleya Mwananyanda, shared practical tools on advocacy and awareness creation through interactive engagement. Ms. Mwananyanda emphasized on the need for the various UN Agencies to come together as this will propel them to get to where they want to get with the fight on HIV. “The workshop is to help participant help each other and support each other and to look at the enormity of the work and look at the challenges with HIV and solutions” she said.
The Director of Communications at UNAIDS Geneva, Ben Philips buttressed on the importance of communications to make a change and support the process to eliminate AIDS as a public health crisis by 2030. “This is possible but requires real transformative actions” he added.
The workshop's agenda included plenary sessions, discussions, and interactive activities. Participants engaged in open dialogue, shared experiences, and worked collectively to address the ongoing challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. The outcomes of this workshop are expected to feed into national strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention through advocacy.
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Story
04 September 2023
General debate of the seventy-eighth session of the UN General Assembly starts on 19 September
The high-level meetings and the general debate of the seventy-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly begin in New York on 19 September 2023. The theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all” has been proposed for the general debate at the seventy-eighth session.
Find details in the information note. Also available here is the provisional list of speakers at the general debate.
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Story
29 August 2023
Preserving history-UNESCO Ghana holds a 3-day workshop to strengthen national capacities to protect and promote underwater cultural heritage
In a bid to promote awareness and preservation of underwater cultural heritage, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ghana in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Abuja office and key stakeholders engages in a workshop on underwater cultural heritage under the theme of " Strengthening National Capacities to Protect and Promote the Underwater Cultural Heritage of West Africa".
The three-day workshop: from the 28th to the 30th of August in Accra, aims to support the effective implementation of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in Nigeria and Ghana as well as build capacity among the focal persons and institutions of the Convention to develop and implement an inventory of the underwater cultural heritage of these two countries.
The UNESCO Representative in Ghana, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo commended participants gathered for their universal commitment to protect the rich and diverse underwater cultural heritage. He highlighted its importance as an integral part of West Africa's shared history and identity. “The underwater cultural heritage of our region is not just a collection of artefacts or historical remnants, but it is a story of our shared past, a testament to our resilience, spirit and shared cultural values. It tells unique stories of trade, migration, worship, and cultural exchange, providing a crucial link to our past” he said.
Mr. Diallo also applauded the Government of Ghana for ratifying the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage in 2015 and urged all governments to contextualize the framework, safeguarding underwater heritage from threats such as environmental damage, oil exploration, and mining activities. “The role of government in this endeavor cannot be overemphasized…however, governments cannot accomplish this task single-handedly. Collaboration and partnerships, both local and international, are essential for effective heritage management. We need to come together, share best practices, and develop cooperative strategies” he added.
The Culture Programme Specialist for UNESCO Abuja, Mr. Philippe Delanghe elaborated on the significant role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Academic institutions in protecting underwater cultural heritage through the development of policies and regulations related to underwater cultural heritage preservation. “They provide input based on their expertise and advocate for legal frameworks that support conservation efforts” he stated.
The Deputy Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey, emphasized on the urgent need to address the challenges of global warming and climate change and called for action and awareness creation, especially in the context of Ghana's unique environmental issues. He highlighted the importance of media in spreading awareness and educating the public about these crucial matters.
“The creative industry's role in promoting this message through various forms of content is a powerful idea. Every action we take towards nature, water, and trees will come back and haunt us and this is an important reality check”.
Other Solidarity statements from the Chargé d'affaires and Head of Cooperation, Embassy of France to Ghana, Mr. Julien Lecas, and the Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie echoed their commitment to support the protection and safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
The workshop engaged participants in discussions on the various aspects of the underwater cultural heritage of West Africa including discussions on the relevance of Underwater Cultural Heritage to the Blue Economy.
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Press Release
25 September 2023
In Ghana, Women and Young People Plead for an Inclusive Resolution to the Current Crises in West Africa and the Sahel
The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in cooperation with UN Women, organized the annual meeting of the Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel, from 18 to 22 September 2023, under the theme "Unconstitutional seizure of power and transition in the Sahel region".
Nearly 121 women and young people (54 in person and 67 online) from 17 countries in West Africa and the Sahel took part in the meeting, which opened in the presence of Major General Francis Adu-Amanfoh, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic of Ghana on the Accra Initiative, Ms Francisca Atuluk, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, and Mr. Charles Abani, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Ghana. The officials recalled that UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) was the first to highlight the valuable role and essential contribution of women to peace and sustainable stability, recognizing that "women matter for peace". "Similarly, resolution 2250 (2015) on youth, peace and security recognizes the positive contribution of young people to peace and sustainable development in their communities, humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction." They also discussed the current security situation in the Sahel.
The 5-day meeting discussed the current political crisis in the Sahel, the development and proposal of concrete strategies for greater involvement of women and young people in current and future political dialogue, and the development of joint regional programs. Participants also discussed the synergies to be developed, coordination, partnership and better planning of their actions in line with the priorities identified. It also provided an opportunity for capacity-building in information and communication technologies.
The Working Group members also took part in the commemoration of the International Day of Peace organized by the Ghanaian chapter of the Working Group. The event underlined the urgent need for women and young people to be meaningfully involved in decision-making at all levels.
In addition, the various sessions that punctuated this annual meeting enabled Working Group members to adopt terms of reference for the establishment of a Rapid Response Team, and to formulate a series of pertinent recommendations that were the subject of a Position Statement on unconstitutional powers and the absence of women and young people from peace efforts in West Africa and the Sahel.
Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel is a coordination mechanism for the implementation of Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 2250 (2015), and an inclusive, multi-actor platform where women and youth become actors in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The Working Group is coordinated by UNOWAS and UN WOMEN.
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Press Release
25 September 2023
2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial provides important opportunity to fill critical gaps and strengthen UN Peacekeeping
The United Nations Secretariat and the Republic of Ghana have announced that the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting will take place in Accra, Ghana on 5-6 December.
At a press conference in New York, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, together with senior United Nations officials, said this flagship biennial meeting will help secure much-needed political support and generate pledges to strengthen UN Peacekeeping, in line with Action for Peacekeeping and A4P+, the implementation strategy for 2021-2023. This will be the fifth UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting and the first to take place in Africa.
UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meetings focus on securing concrete commitments from Member States to fill critical gaps, leverage new technologies, and address key priorities to improve the operational effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.
With missions navigating unprecedented challenges and threats, this year’s event will focus on critical issues such as the protection of civilians, strategic communications and addressing misinformation and disinformation, safety and security, mental health of uniformed peacekeepers, and the pivotal role of women in peacekeeping.
“As a long-standing Troop and Police Contributing Country to UN Peacekeeping since the 1960s, Ghana acknowledges the long and positive track record of peacekeeping in Africa and believes that UN Peacekeeping has a future and remains indispensable and invaluable in advancing peace in conflict settings globally. It is therefore pertinent that the world remains resolute in our commitment to guarding jealously this multilateral tool and fully support the Secretary-General’s initiatives such as the Action for Peacekeeping and A4P+ which are essential to improving the effectiveness of modern-day peacekeeping and tackling the security challenges of our time,” said Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
“UN peacekeeping is a global partnership with peacekeepers from over 120 countries deployed in some of the most challenging places in the world to help save lives, prevent conflict, and create conditions for lasting peace,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. “The 2023 Ministerial is an important opportunity for leaders to reaffirm their commitment and make pledges to UN peacekeeping, which remains one of the most significant multilateral tools to achieve sustainable peace and development. We are grateful to Ghana for hosting this Ministerial meeting and for their critical contributions to strengthening our operations.”
Member States are also being encouraged to create or strengthen bilateral and triangular support and partnerships to ensure proposed improvements are sustainable and have the required impact.
Highlighting the significance of the Ministerial taking place in Africa and the importance of partnerships, Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support said “Ghana and Africa’s contributions to peacekeeping are advancing beyond troop contributions to offering a vital forum in which countries can unite and collaborate on innovative strategies to address current challenges and discuss the future of peacekeeping. I look forward to the formation of partnerships amongst participants to enhance the effectiveness of our peacekeepers, elevate the quality of their medical care, and foster environmentally responsible operations.”
“In addition to the myriad challenges currently before us, United Nations peace operations are also at a critical juncture in preventing and addressing misconduct as a central element of performance,” said Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. “This is a collective endeavour”.
The meeting in Accra is the latest in a series of high-level events that have enabled world leaders to pledge resources to help missions fully implement their mandates. Beyond garnering political support for the work of UN Peacekeeping, generous contributions by Member States at similar meetings in New York, London, Vancouver and Seoul have helped generate rapidly-deployable military units, key aviation assets, better medical capacities, and helped advance the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.
In the lead-up to this year’s Ministerial, a series of preparatory meetings on key areas identified by UN Member States have set the stage for discussions. These included Preparatory Conferences on Women in Peacekeeping Operations, co-hosted by Bangladesh, Canada, and Uruguay, mental health support for uniformed personnel, co-hosted by Ghana, the Republic of Korea, and the United Nations, and safety and security, co-hosted by Japan and Pakistan. In October, a meeting on Protection of Civilians and Strategic Communications will take place in Kigali, co-hosted by Indonesia, the Netherlands, Rwanda, and the UK.
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For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Aditya Mehta, Department of Peace Operations +1 (917) 775-4249, e-mail: mehta2@un.org
Hector Calderon, Department of Peace Operations +1 (917) 834-3100, e-mail: Hector.calderon@un.org
Cynthia Prah, UN Information Centre, Accra, 024 628 1113, 2-mail: prah@un.org
About United Nations Peacekeeping
Since 1948, more than two million peacekeepers from 158 countries have served in 71 operations. Today, over 87,000 women and men from over 120 countries work to build peace in conflict hotspots across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. More than 4,200 peacekeepers have given their lives while serving under the United Nations flag.
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Press Release
19 September 2023
The European Union, the Government of Ghana and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization launch 10 million Euro project to address food security in Northern Ghana
The EU-funded, FAO-led project will be strategically concentrated in the northern regions of Ghana, where it aims to achieve the following outcomes:
More economically sustainable and inclusive food systems: empowering communities to build resilient and profitable food production systems.
Reinforced environmental sustainability of food systems: promoting practices that protect the environment and conserve natural resources.
Enhanced social sustainability and gender responsiveness of food systems: ensuring equitable access to food and nutrition, focusing on women and vulnerable populations.
Improved governance and institutional sustainability of food systems: strengthening governance structures to ensure the long-term viability of food systems.
This vital financial contribution by the EU reaffirms the importance of international solidarity in addressing global food security challenges aggravated by Russia aggression against Ukraine. It reflects the shared commitment to ensuring food security, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development in Ghana.
EU ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly said: "This 10 million Euro emergency measure has been mobilized in record time and represents the commitment and solidarity of the EU and its Member States in the face of rising cost of food and to safeguard food security and transitioning to more resilient food systems in Ghana."
"The joint collaboration between FAO, the European Union and the Government of Ghana shows our commitment to rural families in Ghana and ending hunger and malnutrition while supporting the transition to more sustainable agrifood systems," said Yurdi Yasmi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and Representative in Ghana.
The allocated funds will primarily focus on the sustainable development of crucial agribusiness value chains, including maize, millet, sorghum, groundnut, vegetables (tomatoes), poultry and piggery. These efforts complement the Government of Ghana's initiatives, such as Planting for Jobs Phase 2, to mitigate the adverse impacts of rising food, fertilizer, and fuel prices in vulnerable areas, in order to help alleviate poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
"The Government appreciates the EU and over ever reliable partner, the FAO, coming in at the time when the need to refocus our food systems deliver on nutrition and resilience is being consummated into the Planting for Food and Jobs, Phase II programme," said Hon. Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Over three agricultural seasons, the EU-funded project aims to support at least 10,000 households, benefiting approximately 6,000 maize farmers, 2,400 millet farmers, and 4,200 sorghum farmers in targeted districts. Women, youth, and value chain actors will receive capacity-building support, access to post-harvest technologies, and training on climate change adaptation, market access, financial services, and pest and disease management.
--ENDS--
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Youngs
Communications Lead
FAO Ghana
David.Youngs@fao.org
+233 (0)24 4845644
Abdul-Kudus Husein
Press and Information Officer
European Union in Ghana
Abdul-Kudus.HUSEIN@eeas.europa.eu
+233 (0)20 1889118
About EU Food Security measure
The world is facing a global food crisis, aggravated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The Global Report on Food Crises estimated in 2022 that up to 205.1 million people face high levels of acute food insecurity in 45 countries.
Back in 2022, in a "Team Europe" approach, the European Commission mobilised €600 million from the reserves of the European Development Fund to address the current food security crisis aggravated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This response was agreed in a record time unanimously by all 27 EU Member States.
As part of the Team Europe's Response to Global Food Insecurity, the funding aims at supporting people in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, where the humanitarian needs are the highest and where programmes to sustainably enhance food security and resilience were identified. It includes four strands of action to be implemented jointly with the Member States: 1. Solidarity: emergency relief and affordability; 2. Sustainable production and resilience; 3. Trade: facilitating food trade; 4. Effective multilateralism.
With the additional €600 million, the EU envisages to allocate for food security and food systems programmes in partner countries of €7.7 billion until 2024 worldwide. This also includes an estimated €2.2 billion in immediate humanitarian food and nutrition assistance for the most vulnerable countries and a further €5 billion to invest in the medium to longer term in sustainable food systems.
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Press Release
19 September 2023
Ghana convenes a side event on accelerating actions and innovative financing for the SDGs at SDG Summit
The event seeks to outline catalytic actions and investments that can significantly accelerate progress towards the SDG targets.
The shocks from the COVID-19 Pandemic, Russia-Ukraine War and Climate Impact have plunged many Africa economies into crises, reversing the little progress made in achieving the SDGs. Today, it is estimated that developing countries need $4 trillion per annum to achieve the SDGs by 2030. This is double of the SDG investment gap of $2.5 trillion required prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the SDGs by 2030, developing countries must address the estimated SDG financial gap, which for Ghana stands at $43 billion per annum.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres recently called on G20 countries for an annual, additional SDG stimulus package of $500 billion to support the SDGs in poor countries. However, in the current global crises, increasing expenditure on the SDGs seem largely implausible.
This side event will discuss how the world and African countries such as Uganda and Ghana could reprioritize innovative interventions and approaches to achieve the SDG targets, with a focus on delivering best for each dollar spent.
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Press Release
05 September 2023
Africa suffers disproportionately from climate change
Nairobi 4 September 2023 (WMO) – Africa is responsible for only a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions but is suffering disproportionately from climate change. This is harming food security, ecosystems and economies, fueling displacement and migration and worsening the threat of conflict over dwindling resources, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The State of the Climate in Africa 2022 report shows that the rate of temperature increase in Africa has accelerated in recent decades, with weather- and climate-related hazards becoming more severe. And yet financing for climate adaptation is only a drop in the ocean of what is needed.
More than 110 million people on the continent were directly affected by weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2022, causing more than US$ 8.5 billion in economic damages. There were a reported 5 000 fatalities, of which 48% were associated with drought and 43% were associated with flooding, according to the Emergency Event Database. But the true toll is likely to be much higher because of under-reporting.
“Africa is responsible for less than 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. But it is the continent which is the least able to cope with the negative impacts of climate change. Heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts are having devastating impacts on communities and economies, with increasing numbers of people at risk,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.
“There are big gaps in weather observations in Africa and early warning services are woefully adequate. We are determined to close those gaps and ensure that life-saving early warnings reach everyone,” he said.
The report, produced jointly with the African Union Commission and Africa Climate Policy Centre of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), was released during the Africa Climate Summit, which also saw the launch of the Early Warnings For All in Africa Action Plan. Kenya, which is hosting the summit, also released its State of the Climate in Kenya in 2022 report.
“Africa, like other regions, has come to terms with the reality that climate change is already happening. Left untamed, the coming decades and years would easily be characterized by severe climate-induced pressure on the continent’s economies, livelihoods and nature,” says H.E. Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission.
“Given Africa’s high exposure, fragility and low adaptive capacity, the effects of climate change are expected to be felt more severely. People’s health, peace, prosperity, infrastructure, and other economic activities across many sectors in Africa are exposed to significant risks associated with climate change,” she writes in the report.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Africa’s livelihoods and national economies – supporting more
than 55% of the labor force. But its agricultural productivity growth has declined by 34% since 1961 due to climate change. This decline is the highest compared to what other regions of the world have experienced.
Projected annual food imports by African countries are expected to increase by about a factor of three, from US$ 35 billion to US$ 110 billion by 2025.
The level of loss and damage, and therefore the costs incurred, will depend on many factors, including the level of ambition of global mitigation actions and the level of investment in adaptation at the local level. In a 4 °C warming world, with strong regional adaptation, “residual damages” costs equivalent to 3% of Africa’s projected gross domestic product could be incurred annually by 2080.
The loss and damage costs in Africa due to climate change are projected to range between US$ 290 billion and US$ 440 billion, depending on the degree of warming, according to the UNECA’s African Climate Policy Centre.
Climate change and the diminishing natural resource base could fuel conflicts for scarce productive land, water, and pastures, where farmer-herder violence has increased over the past 10 years due to growing land pressure, with geographic concentrations in many sub-Saharan countries, according to the report.
The report, with an accompanying story map, is the result of a multi-agency effort. It includes input from the African Union Commission, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and contributions from African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, WMO Regional Climate Centres, specialized United Nations agencies, the African Development Bank, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, and numerous experts and scientists.
Key messages
Temperature: The average rate of warming in Africa was +0.3 °C/decade during the 1991–2022 period, compared to +0.2 °C/decade between 1961 and 1990. This is slightly above the global average. The warming has been most rapid in North Africa, which was gripped by extreme heat, fuelling wildfires in Algeria and Tunisia in 2022.
Rainfall: The Horn of Africa faced its worst drought in 40 years, with Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia particularly hard hit. The “triple-dip” La Niña was a substantial contributor. Five consecutive failed rainfall seasons reduced agricultural productivity and food security. In Somalia, almost 1.2 million people became internally displaced by the catastrophic impacts of drought on pastoral and farming livelihoods and hunger during the year. A further 512 000 internal displacements associated with drought were recorded in Ethiopia.
Many parts of the Sahel experienced significant flooding during the monsoon season, with Nigeria, Niger, Chad and the southern half of Sudan particularly affected.
Tropical Cyclones: The South Indian Ocean experienced an active tropical cyclone season despite an unusually late start. The Southern Africa region was hit by a series of tropical cyclones and tropical storms in the first months of 2022, leading to flooding and population displacement. There was little time for recovery between shocks in nations like Madagascar.
Sea-level rise: The rate of coastal sea-level rise in Africa is similar to the global mean value of 3.4 mm/year. It is, however, slightly higher than the global mean along the Red Sea (3.7 mm/year) and along the western Indian Ocean (3.6 mm/year).
Climate Adaptation: Per capita emissions of carbon dioxide in Africa in 2021 were 1.04 metric tons per person, compared with the global average of 4.69 metric tons per person.
More than 50 African countries have now submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Agriculture and food security, water, disaster risk reduction, and health are the top priorities for adaptation.
Implementing Africa’s NDCs will require up to US$ 2.8 trillion between 2020 and 2030. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has doubled its climate finance to US$ 25 billion by 2025 and devoted 67% of its climate finance to adaptation, in addition to its effort to raise up to US$ 13 billion for its Africa Development Fund.
The World Meteorological Organization is the United Nations System’s authoritative voice on Weather, Climate and Water
www.wmo.int
For further information contact:
Clare Nullis, WMO media officer, cnullis@wmo.int or media@wmo.int ,
Tel +41-79-7091397
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