To bolster its strategic relationship with sector Ministries, Department and Agencies within the Government of Ghana, and to foster greater continuity of work, confidence, and a more unified and coordinated approach to its operations in Ghana, the United Nations Country Team is initiating strategic engagements with Ministers, Heads and Stakeholders of Public Sector Institutions in the country. Today, the Team met with the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.  The UN outlined key areas of its work that align with the sector Ministry’s focus, opening avenues for deeper engagement, collaboration and support of the Ministry’s objectives. The Minister also highlighted her ministry’s priorities, including strengthening social protection policies, enhancing women’s economic empowerment, and introducing legal frameworks to address sexual exploitation in the workplace.  She reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to reducing vulnerability in Ghana and expressed optimism about collaborating with the UN to achieve these goals.  Mr. Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, welcomed the Minister's commitment to partnership and looked forward to a deepened collaboration.Moving forward, the UN, led by the Resident Coordinator, will facilitate specific agency briefings and discussions centered on priorities and mandates. , filtered_html

In a solemn and reflective ceremony, the Embassy of Israel and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, in partnership with the United Nations in Ghana and partners have marked Holocaust Remembrance Day, paying tribute to the millions who lost their lives during the Holocaust. The event, held at the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic community, civil society groups, and students to honor the memory of the victims and reinforce the commitment to combating antisemitism, racism, and intolerance worldwide.This year’s commemoration, themed “Holocaust Remembrance and Education for Dignity and Human Rights,” emphasized the critical relevance of Holocaust remembrance in today’s world, where the dignity and human rights of individuals are under constant threat. The theme underscored the ongoing global need to address these challenges through education and collective action.In his address, the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani, reflected on the importance of the day and emphasized the need to acknowledge the ongoing struggles of marginalized and vulnerable populations worldwide. “While we remember those lost in the Holocaust, we must also recognize the prejudice, violence, and systemic discrimination still threatening the dignity and safety of vulnerable communities around the world,” Mr. Abani said. “We must resist the rise of antisemitism, racism, and xenophobia, and take decisive action to combat these evils. Let us draw strength from this history to challenge such injustices and stand firm in defending human rights globally.” The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, H.E. Roey Gilad, noted that it is the responsibility of the international community to prevent such atrocities from occurring again. “Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, most Holocaust survivors are no longer with us,” and as such we have the responsibility to tell their story, fight the denial of the Holocaust, and fight Antisemitism, Ambassador Gilad said.  The German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Daniel Krull, reflected on the events that led to one of humanity's darkest chapters and expressed concern that the world has yet to fully learn the lessons of the Holocaust. The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by H.E. Roey Gilad, with panelists including, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr. Joseph Whittal; the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Ghana, H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi and the Director of African Studies at the University of Ghana. Prof. Samuel Ntewusu. The panel explored the issues of the Holocaust from an African perspective and how the lessons of the Holocaust resonated in contemporary struggles for justice and human dignity on the African continent.  , filtered_html

The vibrant and inspiring Presidential Inauguration of H.E. John Dramani Mahama as the next President of the Republic of Ghana following his victory in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections also marked a historic milestone with the swearing-in of Ghana's first-ever female Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.Amina J. Mohammed was accompanied by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Ambassador Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani.  Also present were the Heads of UNESCO and UNHCR country offices, Mr. Edmond Moukala and Mrs. Needa Jehu-Mazou respectively.  The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, extended her congratulations to President John Dramani Mahama following his swearing-in and conveyed her best wishes for his tenure. She also briefly engaged with several heads of states attending the event. Ghana and the United Nations share a strong and enduring relationship, with Ghana actively supporting the UN's core purposes and principles—peace, sustainable development, and human rights. Ghana’s unwavering commitment to UN peacekeeping began over 50 years ago when it became one of the first nations to respond to the UN's call for troops in Congo, just 48 hours after the Security Council established the mission. Since that historic moment, Ghana has remained a vital contributor to advancing the principles and objectives of the United Nations.You may access more images ▶️ here.   , filtered_html

UNICEF Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GTVET) Services, officially launched the Skills Supply and Demand Analysis study in the Ashanti Region. This initiative is a step towards addressing systemic issues within Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, as well as youth unemployment, skills mismatches, and inequitable access to training opportunities.A Focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Bridging the Skills Gap to Drive Economic Growth in Ghana, the study aims to align TVET programs with the evolving needs of the 21st-century workforce. By analyzing the current skills landscape and future labour market demands, the study will inform evidence-based policy decisions and strategic interventions to improve the quality and relevance of TVET education.Mr. Osama Makkawi, UNICEF Representative in Ghana, emphasized the importance of investing in youth skills development as a driver of national development. “By equipping young people with the necessary skills, we can create a more prosperous and equitable future for Ghana,” he said. This latest initiative is part of UNICEF Ghana's ongoing effort to strengthen the TVET sector. Over the past few months, Mr. Makkawi has visited numerous public and private TVET institutions across the country, including the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI), Afoako TVET, Prefos Private TVET, and higher education institutions like Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the University for Development Studies, and Cape Coast Technical University, the University of Cape Coast and University of Education Winneba.These visits have provided valuable insights into the challenges facing the TVET sector, including urban-rural disparities, insufficient soft skills training, teacher capacity limitations, and gender stereotypes. By engaging with stakeholders at various levels, UNICEF Ghana is working  in partnership with the GTVET to address these issues and promote inclusive and equitable access to quality TVET education.The Skills Supply and Demand Analysis study represents a pivotal advancement in aligning TVET programs with the evolving needs of the labor market. By identifying the specific skills required, the study ensures that TVET initiatives remain relevant, responsive, and aligned to the demands of the 21st century workforce.Furthermore, the recommendations from this study will serve as a foundation for similar assessments in other regions, as UNICEF plans to scale up its operations and strengthen the existing partnership with TVET sector nationwide. This approach not only addresses current skills gaps but also contributes to building a more sustainable, skilled, and competitive workforce across the country.This event also marked the successful completion of a comprehensive five-week training program designed to equip facilitators with specialized skills in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling and Lathe Machining., filtered_html