The UN in Ghana joined the Embassies of Israel and of Germany to observe the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.
About fifty dignitaries including members of the diplomatic community, religious bodies, civil society organisations and parliamentarians participated in the short evening event.
The event was marked with the screening of the documentary Numbered, “a collage of narratives and photographs Auschwitz survivors who were tattooed during their incarceration.”.
The Ambassador of the State of Israel H.E. Shani Cooper stressed on the significance of the remembrance event noting that “…we cannot change the past, but together we can change the present”. For his part, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ghana, Christoph Retzlaff said “remembrance imposes a duty…[and] it reminds us…that our mutual coexistence depends on our shared humanity”. Adding that “Only if human dignity is respected and solidarity is upheld, will our communities flourish in peace.”
The UNDP Country Representative, Ms. Gita Welch, delivered the message of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on behalf of the UN System in Ghana. The message called for a united front to “fight for universal values and build a world of equality for all” reminding all of the emergence of attacks against minorities, Muslims, migrants and refugees.
Ahead of the commemoration, the UN Information Centre in Accra, organized two outreach events, targeting the youth. The events which were held at Accra Academy and Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School respectively reached about 600 students in total. The sessions included the screening of The Path to Nazi Genocide and Who Will Write our History and Q&A.