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Press Release
07 December 2023
57 countries make new pledges to strengthen peacekeeping operations at 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial
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Speech
06 December 2023
2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial - USG Jean-Pierre Lacroix's opening statement on behalf of the Secretary-General
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Story
06 December 2023
2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held with a clarion call for concrete commitment and support to 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
23 October 2023
UN Ghana Newsletter - October 2023
In this edition of the UN in Ghana Quarterly newsletter, UN Ghana harnesses engagement opportunities to support Ghana achieve the SDGs, United Bank for Africa (UBA) supports UN Ghana to boost inclusive and greenentrepreneurship in Ghana, UN forges partnership with the Government to boost child nutrition, launch of new EU-funded project to boost food security in northern Ghana and many more.
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Publication
24 October 2023
Celebrating the United Nations at 78 – Accelerating action towards the SDGs
When the penholders of its founding document signed the Charter that birthed the United Nations some 78 years ago in 1945, they imagined a world of peace, prosperity, progress and development; a world where the rights of all people are entitled to them, without discrimination; a world where the benefits of our collective efforts are evenly shared. Their imagination is far from reality today.
Over the course of nearly eight decades of its journey, the United Nations has indeed faced and continues to address a wide range of challenges. These challenges include issues of international conflict, humanitarian crises, environmental issues, social and economic development. According to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the challenges we face are universal and they “require universal solutions and cannot be solved through small groupings of states or coalitions of the willing.” As the only forum where this can happen, the United Nations continues to engage Member States to take action to ensure peace, freedom, development, equality and human rights throughout the world for the good of its peoples. These basic principles on which the UN was established still hold true today, as they did years back.
Regrettably, we are far from realizing the vision of the founders of the UN. Our world continues to grappleT with a wide range of crises and challenges that have profound impacts on societies, economies, and the global order. The COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts and climate change continue to create a web of challenges with significant global ramifications. Coupled with inequalities and injustices, these watersheds are giving rise to new grievances and a deep sense of unease among nations and people.
Halfway to the deadline for the 2030 Agenda, the SDG Progress report reveals we are leaving more than half the world behind; and have stalled or gone into reverse on more than 30 percent of the SDGs. It shows the number of people living in extreme poverty is higher than it was four years ago. Hunger has also increased and is now back at 2005 levels, and gender equality seems to be some 300 years away. With current trendsit is estimated that, only 30 percent of all countries will achieve SDG 1 on poverty by 2030. Simultaneously, inequalities are at a record high, and growing.
Transforming the Sustainable Development Goals into a tangible reality for people worldwide, the UN will hold the Summit of the Future in September 2024, a high-level event that will bring world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. To provide more detail on certain proposals contained in the Secretary-General’s vision for the future of international cooperation (Our Common Agenda) and to support world leaders in their deliberations as they prepare for the Summit of the Future, the UN Secretary-General has issued 11 policy briefs. The briefs cover areas including youth, digital compact, international financial architecture, information integrity on digital platforms, education, and peace.
In Ghana, the UN continues to support the country’s participation in many of these engagements. This past April, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, its partnership agreement with the Government and people of Ghana, was signed. This partnership agreement demonstrates the UN in Ghana’s collective contributions to the country’s development process. The 3-year partnership focuses on Economic Transformation, Access to equitable social services and Durable peace and security in Ghana and in the sub-region, with climate action, data, digitalization, human rights and gender as cross-cutting issues. The UN will spend some 500 million dollars over the period of the Cooperation Framework to provide support that is catalytic and transformative to enable Ghana to realise its development goals.
This year, the UN has put its best foot forward, determined to influence critical thinking and policy decisions in areas that are vital and aligned to the Government priorities and the Cooperation Framework. By exploring unique engagement opportunities and collaborating with key partners, both new and old, the UN continues to leverage its collective thought leadership to stimulate discussions around some critical areas, including climate action, resource mobilization, innovative financing solutions for Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises, digitalization and human rights.
The UN’s support to Ghana’s engagement in the SDGs Summit recently, engagement with civil society and the private sector on food systems, as well as its support to actors towards their participation in the African Climate Summit this year, ahead of COP28 later this year, are but a few of the catalytical and transformative support to the Government.
The UN has further provided financial resources and technical support to catalyze institutional strengthening efforts and capacity enhancement of state institutions across various sectors. It has supported the productive capacity of MSMEs and value chain development through capacity building and access to finance as well as various digital initiatives.
Support for the social sector to enhance basic services including support for the review of the inclusive education policy, development of Ghana’s first Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) and ongoing work to expand social protection social coverage are notable.
On sustaining peace, the UN is working assiduously with stakeholders to safeguard Ghana's peace through a 3-million US Dollar Peacebuilding fund programme to support women and youth empowerment and engagement in peacebuilding in Northern Ghana. Additionally, through the ‘I Pledge for Peace Campaign’, which was launched recently, and election round tables initiatives, the UN is supporting the work of the National Peace Council ahead of the 2024 elections to secure stakeholder commitments to preserve the peace of the country.
As we mark #UN78, we must bring a new urgency to national efforts, and a shared sense of common purpose to drive the positive change that we all want to see. The UN extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ghana on her leadership role at the United Nations.
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Story
06 December 2023
2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held with a clarion call for concrete commitment and support to UN peacekeeping
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has underscored the significance of international cooperation and partnership in maintaining peace and stability, highlighting the role of United Nations peacekeeping as a key player in these efforts. He urged member states of the United Nations to collaborate and make firm commitments to improve and strengthen UN peacekeeping operations. "May our discussions be fruitful, our resolutions impactful, and our shared commitment to global peace resound far beyond the confines of this Ministerial meeting." He noted.
The Vice President was speaking at the plenary session of the Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting in Accra, Ghana. He said, “Strengthening UN peacekeeping remains unwavering” adding that the partnerships formed during the meeting must contribute significantly to the betterment of peacekeeping operations globally.
The Accra International Conference Centre is the venue of the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting; the first of its kind on the African continent. Delegates from across the globe representing over 85 member states and organisations, gathered in bustling halls of the Centre to discuss strategies and initiatives that will bolster peacekeeping operations worldwide.
The two-day event, which began on 5 December, is the latest in a series of meetings held at the Head of State, Government, or Ministerial level since 2014 and the first to be held on the continent.
Among the over 500 delegates attending the meeting are the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, Catherine Pollard, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee, and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Minister for Defence Dominic Nitiwul.
Hon. Botchwey welcomed delegates on the first day of the meeting. She acknowledged Ghana's contribution towards world peace, noting that “UN Peacekeeping has a future and remains indispensable and invaluable in advancing peace in conflict settings globally". Jean-Pierre Lacroix highlighted the significance of the meeting and thanked the Government of Ghana for hosting. In his statement at the plenary session, USG Lacroix reminded member states of the interconnectedness of safety and security and the performance and accountability of peacekeepers. He said securing sustainable peace requires the political will and active and united engagement of United Nations member states, adding that support is needed “to ensure that missions have the right capabilities in the right place and at the right time, with the right mindsets.”.
The meeting offered member states an opportunity to hold bilateral meetings to strengthen diplomatic ties, foster better understanding, enhance cooperation, negotiate and discuss partnerships and explore other collaboration opportunities. It was a moment to further advance the peacekeeping agenda and explore ways to implement the Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace.
The Secretary General of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr. Arnold Kammel, a first-time attendee to the Peacekeeping Ministerial, said the meeting holds relevance as it allows the constant exchange of views and ideas on how to enhance peacekeeping. Speaking on the number of delegates attending, Dr. Kamel noted that "this is a success which underlines the good work that Ghana has been doing as a member of the Security Council right now.".
Colonel Major Kamara Amadou from Mali said the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial will go a long way to help peacekeepers. For his part, Major General Peter Fodor from Hungary emphasized the importance of UN peacekeeping to global peace and security, recognizing also the contributions of peacekeepers in EU and NATO missions. Lieutenant Colonel Justina Frimpong is the Commanding Officer for the Defence Mechanical Transport Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces. She feels women play a critical role in peacekeeping because women are more familiar with the issues that affect women and “women are comfortable talking to women”.
Several side events were held on the key thematic areas of the meeting including Women and Peacekeeping”, “Capacity Building and Training with a focus on Mental Health”, and “Improving Environmental Management in Peacekeeping”.
The various side-events held during this UN Peacekeeping Ministerial generated thought-provoking discussions to reaffirm the collective commitment towards fostering global peace and security. The shared insights, collaborations, and pledges made by member states reflect a collective determination to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and adaptability of UN peacekeeping missions.
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Story
27 November 2023
A glimpse into the fight against Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Capturing stories of resilience from the field.
Accra, Ghana - The search for hope can be a challenging feat, especially when faced with a life-altering circumstance like being tested HIV positive during a routine antenatal check-up. For many expectant mothers in such a situation, the overwhelming fear of transmitting the virus to their unborn child can be paralyzing. Across the globe, there is a glaring disparity in the AIDS response; while 82% of pregnant women living with HIV and 77% of adults overall received antiretrovirals in 2022, only 57% of children (0-14 years) accessed ART—a striking difference in HIV care and treatment for children.
In a bid to bring hope, a UNAIDS-supported project aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and assisting mothers and children living with HIV to reduce their viral load has revealed promising strides in the fight against HIV. The initiative, implemented by the NGO Mother2Mother, has made significant headway in ensuring that positive cases amongst pregnant mothers are detected early and given the needed intervention.
“Daabi daabi woboa” literally meaning “no, no, you are lying” in Twi, is how Adjoa Attaa (not real name), an unemployed mother of three, narrated her shock when she was informed about her status. She cried for days, feeling guilty for passing it on to her last child and only found solace through the counselling and support from the project task team.
“I couldn’t believe what they told me, I thought my life had ended. At one point, God forgive me, but I felt like ending our lives, but through the counselling of the task force I found hope to continue living” she shared, her eyes reflecting both pain and determination.
She sat playing happily with her daughter at the project facility as she waited in line to be served her drugs for the month.
“Knowing what I know now, this project has given me a new sense of hope, that both my daughter and I can live normal lives”.
The recent UNAIDS monitoring visit to the project site at GA West in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, provided a first-hand look int the UNAIDS-supported Mothert2Mother project to address the complexities of HIV transmission from mothers to their newborns. The project encompasses prenatal care, antiretroviral therapy (ART), counselling, mentorship and community engagement. A twelve-member task force on the project site has also been set up to reach more individuals.
Interacting with the beneficiaries and the project task force, the UNAIDS Ghana Country Director, Mr. Hector Sucilla Perez urged communities to participate in the HIV response dialogue to help find solutions for them. “We don’t want communities just as listening audience” he shared.
One of the standout aspects of the initiative is the emphasis on early detection and intervention. During the visit, healthcare professionals praised the improvement in the routine HIV testing for pregnant women, allowing for timely identification of positive cases and tracing of defaulters.
“We realised an increment in Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) services and viral load. We were doing averagely 15 cases a month but with this project we are averaging 33 cases a month…[and] because of the active counselling [through the project] for adherence, we are realising a higher number of viral suppression in most of the cases compared to previous years’’ shared Mr. Nmeterson Bertrand Nii Martey, an enthusiastic task force member; Mr. Nii Martey is the Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist for GA West Hospital.
The project's impact has seen headway in reducing HIV stigma and encouraging pregnant women to seek early medical care. Through the “Viral Load Week” community awareness campaigns and educational programs organized every month, the project has successfully fostered an environment that encourages open dialogue about HIV, dispelling myths and misconceptions.
"Previously people would not sit under a tent like this for fear of being stigmatised, but due to the advocacy efforts, they don’t only sit but are eager to learn," stated the Programme Director, Mother2Mother Ghana, Madam Yvonne Prempeh-Ferguson. She thanked UNAIDS for their support which has helped scale up the initiative.
As the project continues its crucial work, stories like Adjoa's serve as a poignant reminder that, more people need to be educated, and tested early to receive the necessary intervention where necessary. The impact observed during the field visit underscores the need to replicate this model in other regions grappling with high rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
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Story
06 November 2023
UN in Ghana reaffirms its support to Ghana in the wake of the Akosombo dam spillage disaster.
The United Nations in Ghana has reaffirmed its support to the Government and people of Ghana in the wake of the Akosombo dam spillage disaster that has displaced an estimated 35,857 people. Led by the Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani, a group of UN Heads of Agencies from WFP, UNICEF, WHO and IOM, recently visited Agbetikpo in the North Tongu district of the Volta region, to gain a thorough understanding of the humanitarian needs of the affected communities and assess the UN’s immediate interventions.
At the time of the visit, the UN team from the World Food Programme had started registering 120 households from four communities, Memodzi, Fumadokope, Dzimakope and Sikor, that had been relocated to the Agbetikpo haven in the North Tongu district of the Volta region. Out of the 120 households, some 97 received cash transfers from WFP. The funds will support their immediate food needs and strengthen their financial resilience.
The registration exercise by WFP is a stopgap measure as IOM prepares to lead the registration process which will allow humanitariaqn agencies to provide more support to affected areas.
While cash transfers were taking place, Yedent, a Ghanaian agro-group of companies, in response to a request from WFP, was transporting cartons of Tomvita X blended cereal, maize grits and maize flour, to NADMO’s Emergency Operational Centre at Battor, for donation to the affected people.
Mawuena, a mother of three, is one of the affected people dwelling at the Agbetikpo haven located at the Agbetikpo DA Basic School. She was forced to leave all her belongings behind at her home in Fumadokope to find refuge from the flood. The 3-block school hosts over 400 people affected by the Akosombo dam spillage and due to lack of space, Mawuena with her three children now sleep in an unfinished building adjacent to the Agbetikpo DA Basic School. She and her three children sleep in a single room shared with 13 other people from other parts of the affected areas. The room has no windows and doors, exposing them to insect bites, particularly mosquitoes. “I want to go back home but I cannot because my house is in water” she says. According to Mawuena, life at the haven is unbearable. She, like many others who are being sheltered at Agbetikpo haven, needs support to enable her to live a normal life.
The Heads of Agencies earlier visited one of the communities impacted by the floods. Here, they stood at what appears to be a riverbank to observe the devastation caused by the water. The community was completely submerged in water, with abandoned household items including beddings such as mats and mattresses that lay forsaken on the water’s edge, providing a stark testament to the devastation wrought by the floods.
The Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials on the ground briefed the UN team. Present at the briefing were the North Tongu District Chief Executive, Hon. David Osborne Fenu, the Director General of NADMO, Hon. Eric Nana Agyeman Prempeh and his Deputy, Mr. Seji Saji Amedonu, and Ing. Kwame Darkwah, Principal Engineer Generation and Systems Planning/Emergency Preparedness Planning Coordinator. They informed the team about the pre-emptive measures taken by NADMO to prepare the rescue team. For instance, having been alerted of the controlled spillage by the Volta River Authority months earlier, NADMO conducted several simulation exercises to identify the havens, and be conversant with the methods of relocating displaced people to curtail the impact of the flooding on lives. “This made the movement of people from affected communities to the eight havens easier” says Mr. Seji Saji Amedonu. Already, mobile health clinics have been set up in the havens and sensitization on good sanitary practices is ongoing. The team also visited the Emergency Operations Centre activitated at the Tongu District Assembly from where NADMO receives, disseminates and monitors all information on the humanitarian crisis.
Flood-affected communities also require psychosocial support to help them deal with crisis stress. At Agbetikpo haven, Dr. Eugene Tornyeavah, a Clinical Psychologist from the 37 Military Hospital and a native of the area has joined the Ghana Health Service team to provide health care as well as services to protect and improve the mental and the psychosocial wellbeing of people affected. Dr. Tornyeavah says he responded to the call for volunteers by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association and the Ghana Medical Doctors because he felt it was the right thing to do. “We are registering a lot of chronic cases such as hypertension and diabetes. Malnutrition and anemia are also high” he said, adding that “what we are seeing is a huge problem” and requires all the support to avert further catastrophe.
The UN has donated hundreds of critical relief items including dignity and hygiene kits, tents, medical supplies such as cholera investigation kits and several boxes of water purification tablets (Aquatabs to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases including cholera), and several cartons of drinking water to support affected communities.
To determine the full extent of the damage and further needs of the affected communities as well as provide onsite capacity and systems development to key partners, the UN through its Rapid Assessment Team of the Inter Agency Working Group on Emergencies (IAWGE), has conducted an assessment in three most affected districts (North Tongu, Central Tongo and South Tongu) has conducted an assessment in three districts to gather reliable and quality data that will inform its humanitarian response to affected communities. The information gathered will also guide the UN in Ghana’s long-term recovery efforts and support to government.
Furthermore, the UN is exploring funding windows to mobilize additional resources necessary for its response efforts.
According to NADMO, there is a need to heighten communications and advocacy around resource mobilization and to support ongoing work.
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Story
03 November 2023
UN in Ghana observes UN78 with a High-level event
The event which took place at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ghana on Tuesday 24 October 2023 saw a gathering of Heads of UN agencies in Ghana, the diplomatic corps, Government of Ghana officials, representatives from the security agencies, civil society organisations, youth groups, religious bodies, the media and the entertainment industry.
A musical interlude by the police band set a welcoming ambience of friendship, connection and inclusivity, which set the pace for attendees to interact with each other. The event started with a performance by Dela, a Ghanaian flautist followed by a dance and a poetry performance by the Youth Leaders (YoLE) Fellowship programme of UNFPA Ghana. Their energetic entry dance displayed a diverse culture of attire and artistry to the admiration of the audience. The poem encapsulated the achievements of the United Nations in Ghana through its various agencies.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani emphasised the essence of partnerships towards the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals in Ghana. The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong also gave a resounding statement on the government of Ghana’s commitment to the work of the United Nations.
Resonating with the aura of the celebration, the Resident Coordinator proposed a toast in honouring the occasion. Both the Ghana national anthem and the UN anthem were played by the Ghana police band to the attention and patriotic spirit of all present.
The UN Resident Coordinator and a few other Heads and representatives from some UN agencies joined the vibrant youth in a freestyle dance as the night wore away. Everyone networked cordially to close the event.
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Story
03 November 2023
Ghana hosts 2nd Africa Forum on Displacement
With the number of people forcefully displaced increasing and Sub-Saharan Africa hosting over 40 percent, finding African-led solutions to these challenges is paramount.
Accra, the vibrant capital of Ghana, plays host to the 2nd edition of the Africa Forum on Displacement, a platform for in-depth discussions on displacement-related issues, focusing on the role of the private sector. The three-day Forum is organized by a collaborative effort of the Amahoro Coalition, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Inkomoko, and supported by IKEA Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation.
According to the Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board, Professor Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, this is an opportune time “for bringing in the private sector and partnering them in ensuring the inclusion of refugees. Clearly, traditional donors and sources of funding of UNHCR are now overstretched” Adding that “it is indeed time for all of us to come together to do our bit to ensure that nobody is left behind” He further highlighted the Government of Ghana’s endeavour to ensure the inclusion of refugees in in Ghana through the implementation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme which seeks to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are supported to enable them to meet their basic needs. In a strong statement to the over 200 participants calling on the private sector involvement in tackling the issues of displacement, the UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Kelly T Clements said “We need governments, we need politicians, we need those with power, those with wealth; you have the opportunity to have a louder voice than some of the rest of us at the table. We need the person that lives next door to us to care, to listen. We need communities, churches and mosques…We need to talk about the humanitarian consequences but also [on] solution; what’s possible”. Thought-provoking conversations at the opening centered on finding African-led solutions for African problems, encouraging the private sector to make a conscious effort towards the inclusion of people forcefully displaced. This led to private sector stakeholders making pledges to intentionally make room to employ forcibly displaced individuals in their various organizations while renewing previous commitments. The Africa Forum on Displacement will facilitate the announcement of impactful pledges and contributions, explore private sector opportunities, highlight challenges, and provide recommendations to enhance the inclusion of forcibly displaced individuals, aligning with the goals of the Global Compact on Refugees. The pledges and contributions unveiled at the 2023 Accra Forum will pave the way for Africa's private sector involvement in the upcoming Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2023. The Forum brought together leaders, experts, and changemakers from across the continent and beyond.
According to the Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board, Professor Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, this is an opportune time “for bringing in the private sector and partnering them in ensuring the inclusion of refugees. Clearly, traditional donors and sources of funding of UNHCR are now overstretched” Adding that “it is indeed time for all of us to come together to do our bit to ensure that nobody is left behind” He further highlighted the Government of Ghana’s endeavour to ensure the inclusion of refugees in in Ghana through the implementation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme which seeks to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are supported to enable them to meet their basic needs. In a strong statement to the over 200 participants calling on the private sector involvement in tackling the issues of displacement, the UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Kelly T Clements said “We need governments, we need politicians, we need those with power, those with wealth; you have the opportunity to have a louder voice than some of the rest of us at the table. We need the person that lives next door to us to care, to listen. We need communities, churches and mosques…We need to talk about the humanitarian consequences but also [on] solution; what’s possible”. Thought-provoking conversations at the opening centered on finding African-led solutions for African problems, encouraging the private sector to make a conscious effort towards the inclusion of people forcefully displaced. This led to private sector stakeholders making pledges to intentionally make room to employ forcibly displaced individuals in their various organizations while renewing previous commitments. The Africa Forum on Displacement will facilitate the announcement of impactful pledges and contributions, explore private sector opportunities, highlight challenges, and provide recommendations to enhance the inclusion of forcibly displaced individuals, aligning with the goals of the Global Compact on Refugees. The pledges and contributions unveiled at the 2023 Accra Forum will pave the way for Africa's private sector involvement in the upcoming Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2023. The Forum brought together leaders, experts, and changemakers from across the continent and beyond.
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Press Release
07 December 2023
57 countries make new pledges to strengthen peacekeeping operations at 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial
At the first Peacekeeping Ministerial held in Africa, 57 Member States announced new pledges to meet current and future challenges and needs, in line with ongoing reform under Action for Peacekeeping and A4P+, key priorities to improve peacekeeping effectiveness.
“The concrete pledges generated by this historic event will provide the cushion UN peace operations require to execute complex mandates in complicated environments,” said Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
“We are grateful to the Republic of Ghana for hosting this Ministerial and their ongoing contributions to UN Peacekeeping. As missions navigate unprecedented challenges, the political support and concrete pledges received today will help strengthen our effectiveness,” said Under-Secretary-General, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. “Ultimately, the goal of peacekeeping is to help parties end conflict by securing and implementing peace agreements and related political processes. In a world that is more divided than ever, the united and active engagement of Member States in this process is critical,” he added.
The Ministerial produced significant new commitments in high-need areas, such as aviation and infantry units, including quick reaction forces and rapidly deployable units to help our missions become nimbler and more robust in responding to threats. Member States also pledged reconnaissance and critical enabling units, such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal units. Together, these specialized capabilities will contribute to the protection of civilians and improve the safety and security of peacekeepers.
These include:
33 Member States made pledges of over 110 new military and police units to UN peacekeeping.
Partnerships, through training and capacity-building of troop and police contributing countries, were also a key commitment from many Member States.
45 Member States pledged specialized trainings on an array of critical issues such as peacekeeping-intelligence, protection of civilians, gender responsive leadership and the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
In line with the meeting’s core themes, Member States recommitted to deploying more women in peacekeeping operations, including in leadership roles. Pledges were also announced to improve environmental management of missions by harnessing new technologies and switching to renewable energy as well as leaving a positive environmental legacy in host countries. In addition, Member States provided new support to strengthen mental health services for uniformed peacekeepers, the digital transformation of peacekeeping and resources to bolster strategic communication and address mis- and disinformation.
14 Member States made environment related pledges, including to deploy with or help other countries deploy with renewable energy.
12 Member States made pledges to support the UN’s strategic communications efforts, including resources to address mis- and disinformation.
“I congratulate the Government of Ghana on the resounding success of the Peacekeeping Ministerial. I am particularly grateful for wide ranging pledges from those that strengthen partnerships to build the capacity of uniformed peacekeepers to others that improve our logistics and health support as well as reduce our environmental footprint in the field. It underscores the pivotal role that partnership plays in UN peacekeeping. We are fully committed to do our utmost to support Member States in implementing their pledges to make peacekeeping more effective, efficient and impactful, said Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, Atul Khare.
“Every peacekeeper must serve with honour, upholding our standards and the reputation of the United Nations. This is an essential requirement for acceptance by local communities and to effectively implement our mandates. We work in close partnership with troop and police contributing countries to ensure those standards are met, and I thank all Member States who pledged their commitment to work with us to manage the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, in particular, with a focus on prevention. I also thank those Member States who have voluntarily contributed to the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and welcome any further contributions,” said Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, Catherine Pollard
At the closing on Wednesday, Ghana passed the baton to Germany, who will host the next UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in 2025.
“The relationships formed and the commitments made during this Ministerial Meeting are not transient; they are seeds planted for a more peaceful and secure world, the harvest of which we will reap in the years ahead,” said Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul.
More than 70,000 peacekeepers, who currently serve in 12 missions around the world, are helping to save lives, prevent conflict and creating conditions for lasting peace.
More information on the meeting, including statements and the list of pledges, can be found on the UN Peacekeeping website and on @UNPeacekeeping digital channels.
For further information, contact: Aditya Mehta on +1 917 7754249; mehta2@un.org
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Press Release
05 December 2023
Amid Pressing Crises, UN Convenes Global Workshop to Foster Collaboration and Action for SDG Implementation
This significant event provides a platform for countries preparing their VNRs at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July 2024. It serves as an important space for sharing experiences and knowledge among countries, as well as addressing specific issues and challenges to the VNR preparation.
This event also raises awareness among government officials on the importance of monitoring progress and integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national plans and policies. Officials from finance ministries, statistical offices, planning and sectoral and other ministries and institutions engaged in the VNR at national level are participating in the Global Workshop.
44 countries to assess their progress
This year, 44 countries, both developed and developing, will present their Voluntary
National Reviews (VNRs) of national implementation of the SDGs. The VNRs seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and engagement for the implementation of the SDGs. The 2024 VNR countries are: Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belize, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Honduras, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federal States of), Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Palau, Peru, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, State of Palestine, Syrian Arab Republic, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zimbabwe. For more information on the VNRs: https://hlpf.un.org/vnrs About the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the central global
forum to provide political leadership, guidance, and recommendations on
implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), which were unanimously adopted by world leaders in
September 2015. The Forum provides an opportunity for countries, civil society organizations and businesses to highlight the efforts they are taking to achieve the SDGs and to engage in mutual learning through the exchange of ideas and best practices. For more information: https://hlpf.un.org/2024 Media contact: Paul Simon| UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | T: +1 (917) 367-5027 | E: simonp@un.org
National Reviews (VNRs) of national implementation of the SDGs. The VNRs seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and engagement for the implementation of the SDGs. The 2024 VNR countries are: Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belize, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Honduras, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federal States of), Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Palau, Peru, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, State of Palestine, Syrian Arab Republic, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zimbabwe. For more information on the VNRs: https://hlpf.un.org/vnrs About the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is the central global
forum to provide political leadership, guidance, and recommendations on
implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), which were unanimously adopted by world leaders in
September 2015. The Forum provides an opportunity for countries, civil society organizations and businesses to highlight the efforts they are taking to achieve the SDGs and to engage in mutual learning through the exchange of ideas and best practices. For more information: https://hlpf.un.org/2024 Media contact: Paul Simon| UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | T: +1 (917) 367-5027 | E: simonp@un.org
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Press Release
05 December 2023
2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Kicks Off in Accra, Ghana
The Ministerial seeks to secure vital political support and concrete commitments to strengthen UN Peacekeeping efforts to meet current and future challenges and needs, in line with ongoing reform under Action for Peacekeeping and the A4P+ implementation plan.
“Ultimately, peacekeeping is a political endeavor. Our goal is to help parties secure and implement peace agreements and related processes. To succeed in a world that is more divided than ever, we need the united and active engagement of Member States,” said Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. “As missions navigate unprecedented challenges and threats, the Ministerial is an important opportunity for Member States to demonstrate their support and make concrete pledges to strengthen our effectiveness.”
The flagship event, co-hosted by the United Nations and the Republic of Ghana, marks the fifth such meeting at the Ministerial-level and the first to be held on the African continent.
“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 jealously guarding 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.
The year's event will focus on crucial issues such as advancing sustainable peace, protection of civilians, strategic communications, and improving the safety and mental health of peacekeepers. During the two-day event, Member States and the UN will also work together to improve environmental management of our operations and deploy more women peacekeepers to ensure more diverse and inclusive operations.
The Accra meeting 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, generous contributions by Member States at meetings in New York, London, Vancouver, and Seoul have helped generate rapidly deployable military units, key aviation assets, better medical capacities and to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
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
About United Nations Peacekeeping
Since 1948, more than two million peacekeepers from 158 countries have served in 71 operations. Today, nearly 80,000 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
29 November 2023
Ghana: National Coordination Mechanism Launched to Strengthen Migration Governance
Speaking at the launch, Ghana’s Minister for the Interior Hon. Ambrose Dery said: “The National Coordination Mechanism in Ghana is expected to play a key role in implementing the [Global Compact for Migration], among other responsibilities. This mechanism will be the primary coordination platform for government on all things related to migration, whether it is implementing the National Migration Policy, enhancing our migration data system, identifying our short-term priorities, or informing our partners on where the gaps are pronounced. I would like to thank all concerned parties who have worked on this tirelessly.”
Two key activities of the NCM will be the development of a national GCM implementation plan and a national migration knowledge management system. In preparation, Ghana carried out a mapping of stakeholders, a needs assessment and a series of consultations. These activities were informed by a step-by-step guidance produced by the UN Network on Migration — established the United Nations to ensure effective, timely and coordinated system-wide support to Member States in implementing, following-up and reviewing the GCM.
“The UN Network on Migration in Ghana reaffirms its support to the Government of Ghana in the implementation of the GCM. The establishment of the mechanism and the development of the implementation plan is a demonstration of this support,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani.
The NCM brings together relevant government agencies from various sectors and levels of governance to implement the National Migration Policy and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) with a whole-of-government approach. These agencies cover priority areas such as labour mobility, diaspora engagement, remittances, migration data and research, human rights of migrants, trafficking in persons, irregular migration, assistance to and protection of migrants, return and reintegration, and climate-induced mobility, and others.
Recognizing the importance of migration for Ghana’s development, the government has recorded considerable progress in making migration more orderly and regular. The NCM is the latest step in this endeavor and will be instrumental in creating meaningful engagement and cooperation on migration by avoiding duplication of efforts.
EU Ambassador in Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, said: “Migration can only be managed jointly through partnership by all stakeholders. Whether it is addressing irregular migration, smuggling, challenges around return and reintegration, or paving the way for safe legal pathways, a concerted effort is required. I am very glad that, on this basis, and with EU support, we are launching the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration today to build a strong, tailor-made coordination platform for government.”
This launch is part of the third Cross-Regional Dialogue of Champion Countries of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) taking place from 28-30 November 2023 in Accra.
This work is supported by funding from the European Union under the Building Migration Partnerships Programme implemented by the International Organization for Migration, as Coordinator and Secretariat of the UN Network on Migration. Since its launch in February 2023 the programme has contributed to streghten the UN Network on Migration, the evidence base on migration through a comprehsnive needs assement and a mapping of migration governance stakehdolers.
For more information, please contact Juliane Reissig at jreissig@iom.int.
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Press Release
31 October 2023
Businesses call for a review of key policies and initiatives towards economic stability
The pre-budget survey results were released by KPMG and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana. The survey solicited views from businesses across several industries on the impact of existing policies on their businesses and provided key recommendations to the Government through the Ministry of Finance to be considered in the upcoming budget and subsequent budget cycles. The national budget remains a key policy document for the implementation of various policy reforms and other policy measures in the country.
“We hope the insights from the survey will help Government in their deliberations and provide valuable contributions in the lead-up to the 2024 Budget”, noted Anthony Sarpong, Senior Partner at KPMG Ghana.
Key highlights and recommendations from the pre-budget survey includes the following:
Economic Factors: The findings reveal high inflation rate and cedi depreciation as key economic factors significantly affecting business performance and profitability. The results show about 5 in 10 businesses citing the negative impacts of these factors on the growth of their business. Other economic challenges cited by the respondents include rising interest rates, restricted access to financial resources, difficulties in retaining skilled labour, power supply constraints, and supply chain disruptions. The respondents suggest the need for the 2024 national budget to consider initiatives that reduce corruption, inflation, and interest rates; improve the performance of the local currency; and restore confidence in the economy.
Taxes: Respondents of the survey felt the current tax environment is adversely impacting their businesses. The top five taxes businesses want to be revised are the e-levy, COVID-19 levy, import levies, petroleum levy, and growth and sustainability levy. The survey recommends broadening of the tax base; rationalization of Government expenditures; and a comprehensive review of some of the Government’s flagship programmes such as the free Senior High School (SHS).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The survey results show a growing demand for SDG-focused governance and resource allocation strategies, with about 8 in 10 respondents supporting Government incorporation of SDGs into the budget formulation. In the 2024 budget priorities, Quality Education, Good Health, and No Poverty are identified as the top three SDGs to be prioritized.
“Evidence suggests that economic growth is an enabler for the SDGs in the short term and over time the SDG agenda itself becomes a catalyst for inclusive economic growth. UNDP will continue to work as part of the UN family in Ghana and with other development partners, to support SDG aligned investment and financing by public and private sector to advance SDGs implementation to leave no one behind”, noted Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana.
Growing Interest in Sustainability: The survey reveals an increasing recognition of the importance of integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations in shaping public policies and resource allocation. In addition, businesses highlighted the importance of having dedicated funds for climate initiatives and call for accelerated actions to address environmental degradation particularly in areas like illegal mining.
Preferred Policies: In terms of policies, businesses want to see the 2024 Government budget prioritizing policies that promote local businesses and export through industrialization, agriculture development, and infrastructure development.
The highlights of the findings from the pre-budget survey provide evidence for the 2024 budget to consider prioritizing policies that promote inclusive green growth and sustainable development.
Access the report here: https://bit.ly/40ftZYl
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CONTACTS:
For further information, please contact:
KPMG
AndyAkoto, Partner & Head of Advisory, Tel: +233(0) 302770 454/+233 (0) 302 770 618
E: aakoto@kpmg.com
Akisi Ackah, Head of Sales & Markets, Tel:+233(0) 302770 454/+233 (0) 302 770 618
E: akisiackah@kpmg.com
UNDP
FatmataL. Sesay (PhD), Senior Economist, Ghana & The Gambia at fatmata.sesay@undp.org
Praise Nutakor, Head of Communications and Partnerships, at praise.nutakor@undp.org
KPMG, a partnership established under Ghanaian law and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Kindly visit undp.org/ghana for further information on UNDP Ghana and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn @UNDPGhana.
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