United Nations in Ghana acknolwedges Ghana's support to the UN at 76the UN Day

This year’s United Nations Day celebration is a special one, as I understand, because it is relatively a smaller audience and it has been moved from the usual grounds of the forecourt of the State House to the Ministry’s premises.  For us at the United Nations, we want to commend the Government of Ghana for her continued recognition of the blue flag as one that belongs to all of us and ensuring that even in this difficult moment of the COVID-19 pandemic, we still hold this symbolic event to mark the birth of the United Nations.

Let me take this opportunity to also thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and all institutions that constitute the ad-hoc planning committee for their relentless efforts and commitment to make sure that this commemorative event happens, and that the ceremonial element of hoisting the flag of Ghana and the flag of the UN is reflected.

Hon. Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Today marks the 76th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, the founding document of the UN.  The Day offers us the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 76 years. These principles and the timeless values of the United Nations are the indispensable foundations of a more peaceful, prosperous and just world. Even though these formed the basis of the founding of the United Nations, they are as relevant today as they were then in 1945.

In 2015, we advanced an agenda founded on the principles of the UN Charter. We started the conversation to accelerate progress to:

1. End poverty and hunger and work for the PEOPLE,
2. Protect the PLANET from degradation
3. Ensure that all human beings can enjoy PROSPEROUS and fulfilling life in which the economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature,  
4. Foster PEACEFUL, just and inclusive societies and
5. Mobilise the means required to achieve our dream through a revitalized global PARTNERSHIP

At the dawn of 2020 many countries, including Ghana, were on course to fulfilling this dream. Regrettably, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating blow on every facet of our lives.  Economies have been devastated, health systems overwhelmed, impacting the most vulnerable communities around the world who were already facing enormous challenges. COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated deep inequalities, and the most vulnerable segments of the population are hit the hardest. Ghana has not been spared. The pandemic has derailed the gains in several instances.

In his address to the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres sounded the alarm for the world to wake up. The picture he painted is grim and cannot and should not be ignored. Our world is moving towards the wrong direction, and until we wake up and do something, we will account to the generation after us. At the same time, we have the window of opportunity to right the wrong because as the Secretary-General noted, “The problems we have created are problems we can solve.”

Again, the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. in his acceptance statement called on Member States to embrace hope in the face of the many challenges and challenges all of us to “dare to dream and… dare to hope.”

I am pleased therefore, that guided by the theme of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, Ghana is focusing on Working together for a sustainable and inclusive society towards recovery and in a post-COVID-19 era. This is hope. It underscores the need for greater urgency and ambition to end the pandemic and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals with renewed hope. It requires us to work together to drive the change we want and achieve the future we want.

In Ghana, the UN Country Team has initiated the process to review its existing cooperation framework, analyse its impact to determine areas that need our fervent attention and design a new cooperation framework and a process that allow us to transition from the current framework to a new one that is catalytic and robust and responds more efficiently to the priorities of Ghana.

That said, more programmes and concrete initiatives are needed to lift the weight of the pandemic on countries if we are to accelerate implementation of the SDGs and advance the gains made till date.  We must work together to sustain the peace we have enjoyed and continue to enjoy; we must ensure projects and programmes developed in are inclusive so that we are able to reach everyone everywhere including women, children, people with disability, the aged and the marginalised. We need to care for the environment and take actions that will not put our planet at risk. To achieve these will require us to work together.

As clearly captured in the UN Secretary-General’s message for this year’s UN Day:

“… solidarity is the only way forward.

We need to come together to tackle great challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.  

By ensuring that every person, everywhere, has access to COVID-19 vaccines sooner rather than later.

By securing and upholding the rights and dignity of all people — especially the poorest and most disadvantaged, girls and women, and children and young people.

By seeking an end to the conflicts that scar our world. 

By making bold climate commitments to save our planet — and living up to them.

And by building global governance that is more inclusive, networked and effective — as detailed in my recent report, Our Common Agenda. 

The values that have powered the UN Charter for the last 76 years — peace, development, human rights, and opportunity for all — have no expiry date.

As we mark UN Day, let’s unite behind these ideals, and live up to the full promise, potential and hope of the United Nations.” (UNQUOTE)

Hon. Deputy Minister, Ladies and gentlemen,

The Secretary-General’s UN Day message puts particular emphasis on collective UN action and joint collaboration of the different parts of the UN system.

Standing here today, I am happy to say that the entire UN development system is heeding the call of the Secretary-General for a more dynamic, agile, robust and nimble United Nations that responds to the urgent development needs of the country. This transformative approach of operating is requiring the UN system to reposition itself to offer the catalytic support that will ensure Ghana is able to recover, build back better and achieve the SDGs.

We will continue to provide the needed impetus to advance the interest of Ghana.

I want to end these remarks where I started… with my thanks to you all for making this event happen.

Happy UN Day.

Thank you!