UN Resident Coordinator Presents Letters of Credence to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Zia Choudhury, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to present his Letters of Credence and officially begin his mandate in the country.

During the meeting, the Minister warmly welcomed Mr. Choudhury and congratulated him on his appointment. “You are here to serve, and we are happy to receive you,” he said, expressing optimism for a productive and impactful tenure. He described his arrival as timely, coinciding with Ghana’s economic recovery efforts and the ongoing Voluntary National Review (VNR) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which, he emphasized, demonstrates that the SDGs must ultimately benefit people at the grassroots.

Highlighting the government’s development priorities, the Minister referred to President John Mahama’s directives to invest in key sectors such as roads, education, health, and infrastructure. He noted that initiatives such as building Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, targeting 600 annually, and equipping under-resourced health facilities are critical to reducing Ghana’s maternal mortality rate, currently at 300 deaths per 100,000 live births.

The Minister further underscored expanded social interventions, including increased funding for the school feeding programme, the introduction of free sanitary pads, free secondary education, and the clearance of teacher trainee allowances, all aimed at improving quality of life and economic inclusiveness. The Ministry also requested technical support from the UN for upcoming high-level events, including a Cabinet retreat and the Ambassadors’ Conference scheduled for the first week of September.

On peace and security, Hon. Okuzeto Ablakwa raised concerns about instability in the Sahel, describing it as the epicenter of conflict in the sub-region. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to revitalizing the Accra Initiative and prioritizing peace and security, food security, and modernized agriculture to reduce post-harvest losses. He also emphasized infrastructure development and green transition strategies, including plans for a new smart city and the 24-hour economy to address rising youth unemployment, among others.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the UN for its swift support during the Akosombo dam spillage crisis.

Mr. Zia Choudhury thanked the Ministry for its support and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Ghana. “We will bring the best of our assets to support Ghana’s development, especially in economic transformation,” he said. He commended Ghana’s leadership, particularly its global role in promoting gender parity and multilateral diplomacy, noting that “Ghana’s principled stance reflects its moral leadership on the world stage.”

Mr. Choudhury emphasized a people-centered approach in his tenure, saying he aims to walk among communities, listen, learn, and help guide development that truly reflects their needs. He also welcomed Ghana’s continued support for the UN and pledged to ensure that the organization plays a stronger, more strategic role in addressing the country's development challenges.

The visit concluded with mutual expressions of commitment to deepening collaboration between Ghana and the United Nations.