WFP Awarded 2020 Noble Peace Prize

The WFP, the 101st winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, was recognised “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict”.

In a press release issued today, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said "the work of the World Food Programme to the benefit of humankind is an endeavour that all the nations of the world should be able to endorse and support." 

In a matter of minutes following the announcement, the United Nations Secretary General, issued a statement congratulating the WFP for "advancing the values of the United Nations every day and serving the cause of “we the peoples” as the Organization marks its 75th anniversary year." He drew attention to the plight of millions of people going hungry around the world.

WFP's Executive Director, David Beasley, shared his excitement in a video message on Twitter, and attributed the award to the tireless efforts of the organisation's numerous staff out there in the field working hard to save and change lives.

Here in Ghana, the announcement was received with excitement by the United Nations family, many of whom described the award to WFP as "a big one".  The head of UNAIDS Ms. Angela Trenton-Mbonde noted that the work of WFP "in Ghana has contributed to this honour." 

"This is a real tribute to all our WFP colleagues who risk their lives to put food in the hands of the world’s most vulnerable persons" says FAO Representative to Ghana, Ms. Jocelyn BrownHall. 

For his part, the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani  said the WFP has "have made us all proud!!"