International Day of Peace

Good Morning. My name is Zia Choudhury, and I am the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Secretary general’s Representative in Ghana. I wish to express our deep appreciation to the Ministry of Interior, the National Peace Council, and our partners, whose commitment has made this important gathering possible.

On behalf of the United Nations family in Ghana, it is an honour and a pleasure to join you to mark the International Day of Peace. A pleasure, because I am new in Ghana, and so its wonderful to simply be in this beautiful and vibrant country. And it’s an honour because this day, about PEACE, which is at the very heart of what the UN stands for. And indeed, what the UN was created for. Let me please quote from the UN Charter, created 80 years ago.

“We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war… The purposes of the United Nations are: To maintain international peace and security, and to that end, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace.

The International Day of Peace was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. Twenty years later, in 2001, the Assembly designated this day as a time of non-violence and ceasefire. Each year since, it has been an opportunity to pause, to reflect, and to recommit to the hard work of peace. Peace is not something that is handed down. It is something we must build, nurture, and protect every day. 

This year’s global theme reminds us of that urgency: “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” Ghana has chosen to focus this year on addressing violence and delinquency in schools. That is important and timely, because peace begins where young people learn, grow, and form their values. But it is also a reminder of the larger picture—that peace in Ghana, and peace in our world, depends on the choices we all make.

In Ghana, we cannot ignore the troubling rise of violence and indiscipline in some of our schools. What were once isolated incidents have become recurring clashes, sometimes even taking on ethnic or religious dimensions. Substance abuse is worsening the problem, with many young people reporting harm to their studies and involvement in fights. And too often, these are not signs of bad children, but of children left with too few safe and constructive options.

That is why I wish to commend the Government and its partners. The Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development’s “Red Means Stop” campaign is raising vital awareness on substance abuse. The National Peace Council has taken an important step with its Memorandum of Understanding on religious tolerance in schools. And the Ministry of Education is working hard to address indiscipline and protect safe learning spaces. These are the right directions, and they deserve our full support.

Some few voices may wish to return to an age of Corporal punishment. I am glad to learn that CP is officially prohibited in Ghanaian schools through policy, but not in law, and there is widespread support for reform to eliminate it entirely — in homes, schools, and alternative care settings. Violence begets violence — but peace too encourages peace, multiplying hope and trust.

The way forward is clear: schools must nurture values, families and communities must guide and support, and we must create real opportunities for young people in skills, sports, and creativity. When this happens, Ghana’s youth will be promises to fulfill, not problems to manage.

Today, as we speak, conflicts in places such as Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine continue to bring immense suffering. Our Secretary-General has spoken clearly: our world is crying out for peace. Ghana has added its strong voice in global forums, calling for restraint, dialogue, and respect for human dignity. Speaking up for peace is not always popular, and it often invites criticism. Criticism should be based on breaches of international laws, treaties and conventions. And the UN always does just that. So does Ghana. Criticism is necessary. Whether an active party to conflict or a supporter through provision of arms or indeed a provider of disinformation, or simply through inaction. Peace requires courage, and it requires persistence. We must not be cowed by threats. We follow the law, we uphold human rights, and we will stay on the right side of history.

Peace is also everyone’s responsibility. It cannot be left only to governments or international organizations. It must be built and sustained by all of us. Each group in society has a role to play:

• The State must provide sound policies, adequate resources, and fair enforcement of laws.
• Families are the first teachers, shaping the values of respect, honesty, and empathy.
• Community and religious leaders guide culture and dialogue, helping young people find positive direction.
• Individuals, especially young people, make choices every day that can reduce violence or fuel it, that can build trust or erode it.

And here is where we must be concrete. Acting for peace does not only mean signing treaties or attending conferences. It also means daily actions: sparking conversations that build understanding; listening to voices that are different from our own; challenging discriminatory language wherever we hear it; reporting bullying both online and offline; and taking the time to check facts before posting or sharing information. These may feel small, but multiplied across society, they create a culture of peace.

Our choices as consumers also matter. By supporting socially conscious businesses, or by contributing to organizations that advance sustainability and human rights, we can align our spending with our values. Each decision reinforces the kind of world we want to live in.

The United Nations has tried to make this easier through the ActNow Campaign, which allows people everywhere to choose the issues they care about, commit to simple actions, and even track their impact using the ActNow mobile app. It is a reminder that building peace is not abstract. It begins with what we do today, what we buy, what we share, and how we treat others.

Here in Ghana, the United Nations works in partnership with government and civil society to turn these principles into action. Let me highlight three examples:

• The SALIENT Fund Project addresses the risks of small arms, ensuring that our schools and communities are safe from weapons.
• The Peacebuilding Fund Project strengthens institutions and fosters dialogue, preventing small disputes from escalating into wider conflict.
• The Safe Schools Project helps keep classrooms as places of learning, not fear.

Globally, our Peacebuilding Commission — now marking its twentieth anniversary — continues to support countries to address poverty, inequality, discrimination, and injustice, which are often the roots of violence. And through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the recently adopted Pact for the Future, the United Nations is working with Member States to raise living standards, end discrimination, and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Why does this matter? Because we live in a world of turbulence and uncertainty. When peace breaks down, development stalls. Communities fracture, young people lose opportunities, and whole nations are set back for generations. But when peace holds, families unite, communities thrive, and children can learn and dream.

In Ghana, we see that connection clearly. When young people have safe schools, when they have outlets in sports, culture, or entrepreneurship, they are less vulnerable to violence and substance abuse. When families and communities step forward with guidance, tolerance, and mentorship, schools are strengthened. And when national institutions and international partners work together, the foundations of peace grow stronger.

The International Day of Peace is a reminder that peace cannot wait. It cannot be delayed for another generation. It must be built today—through the choices of governments, communities, and individuals. Each conversation against hate, each act of respect, each investment in opportunity is a brick in the wall of peace.

Distinguished guests, the road to peace is long and sometimes frustrating. Progress can be slow. Voices for peace may be mocked or ignored. But that is why persistence is essential. Lasting peace is never built in a single moment; it is built step by step, day by day.

Let’s recommit ourselves today. Let’s act with courage, with patience, and with unity. Let’s ensure that Ghana’s young people grow not into problems to be managed, but into promises fulfilled. And let us show, by our example, that peace is more than a word—it is the daily practice of how we live together.

It is apt to close my remarks with a quotation from the great Kwame Nkrumah whose birthday is today: “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart”.

Thank you and may peace remain the foundation of our beloved nation and of our shared world.