Statement at Flag-raising Ceremony In Commemoration of UN Peacekeepers

It is always a great honour to join Ghana and the rest of the world, on behalf of the United Nations in Ghana, to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

We thank the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the security services, the UN family, and all partners who contribute to the planning and organization of this solemn annual event. Together, we recognise the dedication, service and sacrifice of Ghanaian and all peacekeepers across the world.

Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

More than 50,000 civilian, military and police peacekeepers are currently serving under the UN flag in some of the world's most complex and challenging environments.

Today, eighty years after its founding, the United Nations faces growing challenges. More civilians are at risk from conflict even as peacekeeping operations confront significant resource constraints.

Yet UN Peacekeeping remains one of the international community's most effective tools for supporting political solutions, preventing escalation, protecting civilians, monitoring ceasefires and enabling humanitarian assistance.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, marked every year on 29 May, provides an opportunity to honour peacekeepers for their service and sacrifice. These women and men face real risks in the line of duty, and their safety and security remain a top priority.

In recent years, we have witnessed a worrying increase in incidents where peacekeepers have come under direct fire, faced intimidation, or been obstructed in carrying out their mandated duties. By both State and non State actors. Such actions put lives at risk and undermine the international community's efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians. This is unacceptable. 

But today, we honour the more than 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the service of peace. In 2025 alone, 59 peacekeepers fell while serving under the blue helmet, including Warrant Officer Class 1 George Amin of the Ghana Armed Forces, who lost his life while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in February 2025. We remember him and may he RIP.

The 59 fallen peacekeepers, together with nine others who lost their lives in the previous year, will be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at a ceremony in New York on 5 June, presided over by the United Nations Secretary-General.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Peacekeeping remains one of the most visible and enduring symbols of the United Nations. It is a global partnership, with Member States contributing personnel, political support and resources in pursuit of a common goal: peace.

This year's theme, "Invest in Peace," highlights the continued importance of UN peacekeeping at a time of constrained resources.

UN peacekeeping missions are currently implementing significant budget reductions, resulting in fewer personnel and a smaller operational footprint. These measures underscore the urgent need for Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time so that peacekeepers can continue delivering on their mandates.

It is important to note that the entire UN Peacekeeping budget is approx. $6 billion USD per year. The cost of waging war in today’s major conflicts can be $ 500 million to $1 billion USD per day.

Underinvestment has real consequences. Peacekeeping missions help protect civilians, support political processes, facilitate humanitarian assistance and create the conditions for lasting peace. Around the world, peacekeepers continue to help prevent violence, build trust between communities and institutions, and support stability in fragile settings.

As conflicts become more complex and resources become more constrained, investing in peace is more important than ever. Peace requires political will, sustained financing and collective commitment.

Now is the time to invest in peace—not war.

Colleagues, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen 

Ghana has played a catalytic role in peacekeeping operations, setting an inspiring example for nations around the world.

Since its first participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations in the 1960s, Ghana has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to international peace and security, providing troops, police officers and civilian personnel to missions across several continents.

Today, Ghana is among the leading contributors of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping and currently deploys more than 1,900 military and police personnel, including 337 women, across eight UN operations. Thank you Ghana.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize, in a special way, Mr. Samuel Baafi, whom I invited to sit with me on the dais today. Mr. Baafi is retiring at the end of this month after many years of distinguished service with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. Prior to joining the UN, he served his country and the world, as a Ghanaian peacekeeper.

In our UN family, we also recognize Mr. Nurudeen Abdul-Rahman, Mr. Charles Amparbeng, Mr. Bright Kotoe, Mr. Vincent Abugah, Mr. Gomash Masuud Sidbow, Mr. Eric Abrahams, Mr Prosper Nyavor, and Ms. Lihong Shen. All former Peacekeepers. All currently working with the Unted Nations in Ghana We thank them all for their service and commitment. I am proud to work with them and to be associated with all Peacekeepers in Ghana and beyond.  I wish I could name every single Ghanaian Peacekeeper one by one, but

Just to note that of the 9 people I mentioned, 8 are men and 1 is a woman. Globally, we can do much better to remove the barriers that women face to enter peacekeeping. Ghana has been a leader in promoting the participation of women in peacekeeping, recognizing that more inclusive peace operations are more effective peace operations.

Ghana's efforts are also aligned with the Elsie Initiative, started by Canada in 2017, which seeks to remove barriers to the meaningful participation of women in peace operations.

I will now conclude by sharing the message of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for this year's International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

I quote: Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives.

Far from home, in some of the world's most dangerous settings, they de-escalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow.

On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work.

We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year.

No one should die serving the cause of peace.

Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.

In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope.

But it requires steady political backing — and reliable financial support.

This year's theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates.

An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future.

Let us always support the people who help make peace possible.

Unquote 

I thank you all, and may we continue to invest in peace for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.