78th UN Day kick starts with a health walk

In a vibrant display of unity and commitment to a healthier future, the United Nations in Ghana together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs kick started the 78th UN Day celebration with an invigorating health walk on Saturday, 21 October 2023. This walk is not only a celebration of the UN's global impact but also a proactive step towards promoting well-being and solidarity.

The theme for this year’s UN Day observation is “Accelerating Action towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2023 Agenda: Ghana’s Contribution for a Peaceful, Prosperous, Progressive and Sustainable Future.”. It highlights our collective responsibility to address the world's most pressing challenges and to leave no one behind.

“We have to do this … [we] have only seven years remaining before we meet the SDGs. We have to accelerate that's why the UN is celebrating its 78th anniversary,” the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for FAO, Mr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel noted on behalf of the UN family in Ghana.  He expressed appreciation to the staff and participants from the Security Services and Ghana Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coming out in their numbers to participate in this year’s health walk.

The Director of the Multilateral Relations Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, Mr.  Jedidiah R. Adogla, said “healthy individuals are the building blocks of thriving communities and nations and walking together symbolizes our unity and shared commitment to a brighter future.”.

UN Day is observed annual in Ghana.  It is marked with several activities including media engagement, Model UN, a symposium, and a flag-raising ceremony.

The walk involved distinguished personalities including some Heads of UN Agencies, UN staff, and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps, the security service and representatives from the civil society.

As participants laced up their sneakers and gathered at the State House forecourt, charged with a shared sense of purpose, they walked through some streets of Accra for about 6.5 kilometres amidst music by the Ghana Armed Forces band.