Funded by the Government of France, the Food Assistance Program aims to improve food security and nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls, and children under 24 months among asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. It is part of the Gulf of Guinea Joint Response Plan for Ghana which aims to mitigate the humanitarian impact of regional instability, and promote peaceful co-existence and sustainable development Despite comprising only 18.2 percent of Ghana's population, the Upper East, Upper West, North East, and Savannah Regions host nearly half (42.3 percent) of the country's projected food-insecure population. Difficulty in accessing safe and nutritious diets is exacerbating food insecurity and deepening the plight of vulnerable households with limited livelihood options in these regions.Meanwhile, ongoing conflict and insecurity in the Sahel, especially Burkina Faso, have led to increased displacement across the border into northern Ghana, further putting a strain on basic social and economic services in host communities, which are already grappling with limited resources and fragile food systems.The program will reach some 10,200 asylum seekers and host community members, and 20,000 people will benefit indirectly through interventions such as prevention and treatment of malnutrition, health system strengthening, and training in sustainable agriculture, as well as eco-friendly business ventures.Launching the program in Bolgatanga, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani, said for security and safety reasons as well as to ensure peaceful co-existence, it is important that host communities in the Northern part of the country receive the necessary support to address food security challenges. "We used available food security and nutrition data collected through various surveys and further conducted an initial rapid assessment of the situation of the asylum seekers and host communities in 83 communities across six border districts to assess the needs of these beneficiaries and to determine an integrated response," said Mr. Abani. "When communities have improved access to diverse and affordable foods, higher incomes, and increased access to social protection, nutrition, and health services, they live amicably and are better equipped to ensure their safety," he said. The Political Counsellor of the French Embassy in Ghana, Ms Christine Battesti, said: “Creating and improving a sustainable future for all by supporting and contributing to initiatives that enhance food security, improve nutrition, and build community resilience, is one of the priorities of France’s food security policy and Food Assistance Program.”The program aligns with Ghana’s National Medium Term Development Plans, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Global Compact on Refugees. It will be jointly implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB). The key implementing partners will be the Departments of Agriculture, Ghana Health Service (GHS), and NGOs. 

The SIMEX sought to assess coordination among various humanitarian actors and responders, evaluate the rapid deployment of Emergency Operating Centres (EOCs) and crisis management tools, identify strengths and weaknesses in actors and agencies’ responses, and strengthen relationships between governmental and non-governmental organizations. The lessons learned from the SIMEX will be integrated into the cross-border humanitarian crises response plan to address any identified gaps and weaknesses.
NADMO Deputy Director General, Mr. Mahama Saibu Mumuni, emphasized the need for a robust cross-border humanitarian crises response plan: "Given the volatile situation in the region, having a structured and coordinated response to cross-border emergencies, is essential,” said Mr Mumuni. “The simulation was a vital component in fine-tuning our preparedness. With events happening in the Sahel where thousands of displaced persons are crossing into Ghana to seek refuge, it is clear that an effective, well-coordinated inter-agency approach is critical for managing such situations.” 
The exercise was an important element to address the urgent need for a coordinated approach to managing large spontaneous influxes of displaced persons, as highlighted by recent events in the region. For instance, in November 2020, nearly 1,000 people fled to Ghana to escape potential election-related violence in Côte d'Ivoire; and earlier this year, increased military actions in Burkina Faso caused over 4,000 Burkinabes to seek refuge in Ghana. Such incidents underscore the importance of a coherent and coordinated inter-agency approach to responding to the needs of displaced populations and host communities, which the new cross-border humanitarian crises response plan aims to provide.
Head of the EOC for the SIMEX, Mr. Richard Amo Yartey, Director of Inspectorate at NADMO, and Honourable Gerard Ataogye, District Chief Executive for the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly, said in a joint statement: “The process is a testament to the good working relationships of all partners involved. The SIMEX showcased how crucial it is to bring together local and international actors. This exercise strengthened coordination and fostered collaboration among all key stakeholders, from community members to security agencies and humanitarian partners. We need to sustain this level of teamwork to be fully prepared for future crises."
The exercise brought together about 500 participants including 300 community members and 200 local stakeholders, such as the Upper East Regional Security Council, Border Security Council, NADMO officials, local NGOs, UN agencies (IOM, UNHCR) and the media. Prior to the exercise, a series of activities including trainings for key stakeholders and for security officials, as well as community sensitizations, was carried out to prepare all parties involved.
“The successful completion of the SIMEX marks a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of Ghana and its neighbouring countries to manage large-scale population displacements effectively. The lessons learned and feedback collected during the exercise will be crucial in refining the contingency plan and ensuring a timely and coordinated response to future humanitarian crisis that causes mass movement of populations in the region. IOM stands ready to further support the Government of Ghana to ensure the safety of its borders, its border communities as well as people on the move,” said IOM Ghana Chief of Mission, Ms. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye.
The project is realised with funding from the United States Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
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For more information, please contact:
David Kwame Darko, IOM Ghana at ddarko@iom.int or via Phone on +233302742930 (ext. 2409)
 

 
Overall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.  Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.
 
“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”
 
The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. Key deliverables in the Pact include:
 
In the area of peace and securityThe most progressive and concrete commitment to Security Council reform since the 1960s, with plans to improve the effectiveness and representativeness of the Council, including by redressing the historical under-representation of Africa as a priority.The first multilateral recommitment to nuclear disarmament in more than a decade, with a clear commitment to the goal of totally eliminating nuclear weapons.Agreement to strengthen international frameworks that govern outer space, including a clear commitment to prevent an arms race in outer space and the need to ensure all countries can benefit from the safe and sustainable exploration of outer space.Steps to avoid the weaponization and misuse of new technologies, such as lethal autonomous weapons, and affirmation that the laws of war should apply to many of these new technologies.  
On sustainable development, climate and financing for developmentThe entire Pact is designed to turbo-charge implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.The most detailed agreement ever at the United Nations on the need for reform of the international financial architecture so that it better represents and serves developing countries, including:Giving developing countries a greater say in how decisions are taken at international financial institutions;Mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks to help developing countries meet their development needs;Reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to ensure that developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future, with the IMF, UN, G20 and other key players working together;Strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks, through concrete actions by the IMF and Member States;and accelerating measures to address the challenge of climate change, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt to climate change and invest in renewable energy.    Improving how we measure human progress, going beyond GDP to capturing human and planetary wellbeing and sustainability.A commitment to consider ways to introduce a global minimum level of taxation on high-net-worth individuals.On climate change, confirmation of the need to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 
On digital cooperationThe Global Digital Compact, annexed to the Pact, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance.At the heart of the Compact is a commitment to design, use and govern technology for the benefit of all. This includes commitments by world leaders to:Connect all people, schools and hospitals to the Internet;Anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law;Make the online space safe for all, especially children, through actions by governments, tech companies and social media;Govern Artificial Intelligence, with a roadmap that includes an International Scientific Panel and a Global Policy Dialogue on AI;Make data more open and accessible, with agreements on open-source data, models, and standards;This is also the first global commitment to data governance, placing it on the UN agenda and requiring countries to take concrete actions by 2030. 
Youth and future generationsThe first ever Declaration on Future Generations, with concrete steps to take account of future generations in our decision-making, including a possible envoy for future generations.A commitment to more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the decisions that shape their lives, especially at the global level. 
Human rights and genderA strengthening of our work on human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women.A clear call on the need to protect human rights defenders.Strong signals on the importance of engagement of other stakeholders in global governance, including local and regional governments, civil society, private sector and others. 
There are provisions across the Pact and its annexes for follow-up action, to ensure that the commitments made are implemented.
 
Summit Process
The Summit process and the Pact have been deeply enriched by the contributions of millions of voices and thousands of stakeholders from around the world.

The Summit brought together over 4000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, IGOs, UN System, civil society and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of USD 1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion.### 
For more information:  https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future
Media contacts:
Francyne Harrigan, United Nations Department of Global Communications | harriganf@un.org
Stefania Piffanelli, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, United Nations | piffanelli@un.org
Jackquelyn Kay Topacio, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, United Nations | jackquelyn.topacio@un.org
 

The Government of Ghana, led by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and supported by the United Nations, has started the process to establish a suitable framework for effective management of climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Ghana. Findings and recommendations from a national and local capacity assessment conducted in 2022 to evaluate the country’s risk management capabilities were presented on 13 August 2024 in Accra.  The report emphasizes the need for robust preparedness and response plans in key areas like agriculture, energy, social protection, the environment, water and sanitation. It also urges stakeholders to integrate lessons learnt and take actions to address the uneven distribution of climate impact, recognizing that the consequences of climate change are more severe for some communities than others, and ensuring that no one is left behind.At the opening session of the event, the Director General of NADMO, Hon Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh said the findings will inform the development of the National DRR Strategy, “a key requirement for the member states of the United Nations, especially those who commit to the implementation of the provisions in the Sendai Framework of Action, 2015-2030". He further called on stakeholders, especially the UN system, to assist NADMO to coordinate the implementation of the recommendation.The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani, emphasized the importance of Ghana’s vison of self-resilience, noting that the UN’s support is rooted in prevention principles. He called for collaborative efforts to integrate the findings into existing policies, programs, and projects to strengthen DRR and climate adaptation in Ghana. Mr. Abani stressed the need for government investment in the Pwalugu multipurpose dam to control flooding and support livelihoods.    The assessment in 2022 was under the leadership of NADMO, in close collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Accra, with the support of the UN system in Ghana and the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) Partnership, an alliance of humanitarian and development partners working to strengthen DRR capacities. The report is a significant milestone in the shared journey between the UN and the Government towards strengthening Disaster Risk Management (DRM), DRR, and Climate Change Adaptation capacities in Ghana.The findings and recommendations stem from extensive consultations with 23 Central Institutions, 52 Local Institutions/departments, 2 Civil Society Organizations, 1 Private Sector Organization, 3 Multi and Bilateral Partners, and 1 University, as well as engagement with at national, regional, district and community levels. Following this report, the next step for the Government will be to develop an implementation plan, prepare a capacity development plan, ensure the dissemination of the results and recommendations at the regional and district Levels, develop the DRR Strategy and Action plan and hamonize the planned recommendations with international and national development frameworks.