In March 2023, the United Nations Video, in collaboration with the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of the United Nations released a teaser for the short video series titled "One Woman's Journey to a Peacekeeping Mission", an inspiring journey of a Ghanaian female peacekeeper, Lieutenant Esinam Baah.  The six-part series features Lt. Baah, a trailblazing woman peacekeeper who deployed for the first time under the UN flag – leading a platoon with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  It follows her remarkable journey as she prepares for the mission at the Ghana Armed forces’ training camp in Accra, and her arrival and work at UNIFIL. The first episode is out, and subsequent episodes will be rolled out every Sunday thereafter. The series will conclude right before the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, scheduled to take place in Accra, from 5 to 6 December.  "One Woman's Journey to a Peacekeeping Mission" offers an intimate look into Lt. Baah's trials and triumphs as she undertakes the formidable task of leading her platoon for a year in Lebanon. Witness her unwavering commitment and the challenges she overcomes, both personally and professionally, in the still male-dominated military and peacekeeping worlds. It captures not only the resilience of one woman but also the collective strength of a rising number of women in peacekeeping, including Ghana's commitment to gender-responsive pre-deployment training and increasing women's participation in peacekeeping efforts.  The United Nations Information Centre, Accra, working closely with DPO, will share the episodes as they are rolled out. 

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.    

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.

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.