UN at 80: Ghana and the UN – Shared Responsibility for a Better Tomorrow

Eighty years ago today, on 24 October 1945, the Charter of the United Nations came into force. Signed in a city 12,000 kilometres from Accra, that Charter laid the foundation for a global institution that now binds 193 Member States — including Ghana — in pursuit of peace, human rights, and development. Since then, the UN’s mission has remained anchored in those principles, amended only three times in its history, the last half a century ago.

Why revisit this history, when the story of the United Nations is so well known? Because the UN was not born in isolation. It was created by the people, for the people — for you, for me, for all of us, and for generations yet to come. 

Because we must continually highlight its purpose: to prevent war, to uphold the dignity of every human being, and to foster development.

And because its mission remains as urgent today as it was eight decades ago, when the world was emerging from the devastation of war and yearning for peace.

As we pause to reflect on what the United Nations truly stands for, let us also remember what it does — every day, in every corner of the world — through the collective will of its 193 Member States.

• We assist and protect more than 139 million people fleeing war, famine, and persecution.

• We provide food and other assistance to 123 million people in crisis across over 120 countries.

• We help vaccinate nearly half of the world’s children, saving over 3 million lives each year.

• We work together (194 nations)  to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

• We maintain peace with more than 60,000 peacekeepers in 11 operations around the world.

• We confront the global water crisis affecting billions.

• We protect and promote human rights through 80 treaties, declarations

• We coordinate appeals for 45 billion USD in humanitarian assistance for 186 million people

• We use diplomacy to prevent conflicts; that includes supporting 50n countries a year with elections and dialogue

• And we help safeguard the health and dignity of over 22 millions women and girls through life saving sexual and reproductive care.

This day is about commemoration and reflection on our shared responsibility to uphold the purposes and ideals of the United Nations. We have a system built by, and serving, every country in the world. It is not perfect and is under constant reform—as any great institution must be. Let us remember that the United Nations is humanity’s foremost instrument for creating and protecting global public goods—peace, human rights, and a sustainable planet. It must be reshaped to meet the realities of 2045, while remaining true to the founding principles set in 1945.

Ghana proudly joins the global family in commemorating eight decades of commitment to peace, progress, and human dignity. I wish to commend the Government of Ghana, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ad-hoc Planning Committee — including the United Nations — for their dedication in organising these annual observances. They reflect Ghana’s leadership and its unwavering commitment to the principles of this global institution.

Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, the global theme for this milestone is “UN at 80: Building Our Future Together.” In Ghana, we have chosen a theme that brings the UN closer to our lived realities: “United Nations at 80: Ghana and the UN – Shared Responsibility for a Better Tomorrow.”

This theme reminds us that building a better world is not the burden of one institution or one government. It is a collective duty — for all nations and all people. It reflects our steadfast commitment to peace and sustainable development, not only for today’s citizens, but for young people, for marginalised communities, and for generations unborn.

Since joining the United Nations in 1957, just days after independence, Ghana has stood as a strong advocate for multilateralism and collective action. Ghana’s contributions to peacekeeping, diplomacy, and development reflect its deep belief that peace and prosperity must go hand in hand. Ghana stands tall among nations, speaking boldly and with conviction, even in times of global uncertainty, when intimidation and discord threaten the foundations of diplomacy. We heard the President’s statement to the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly loud and clear. His call for structural reforms within the UN, the greater recognition of the role of Africa in shaping the future of the world, and the need to allow multilateralism to work in today’s world are highly commendable.  Thank you, Mr. President.

As we mark this 80th anniversary, we must constantly remind ourselves that working together always produces better results. Together we can meet the aspirations of the Vegetable sellers in Nima market, who rises at dawn each day to earn a living. We must drive the agenda that ensures families in Bolgatanga can put three square meals on their tables. We must strive to provide quality education to every person. And we must do all we can to prevent avoidable deaths — not because people demand it of us, but because it is our shared duty.

We will know we have succeeded when a 13-year-old girl riding a bicycle can safely share the road with others; when children can turn on a tap at school and trust the water is safe to drink; when every family can access essential social services and live in peace. When we have expanded freedoms and choices to live the lives we value — that is when we can truly say: we have done well.

At this point, Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to read the message of the UN Secretary-General for this day: 

QUOTE. “We the peoples of the United Nations ...
These are not just the opening words of our Charter – they define who we are.
The United Nations is more than an institution. It is a living promise – spanning borders, bridging continents, inspiring generations.
For eighty years, we have worked to forge peace, tackle poverty and hunger, advance human rights, and build a more sustainable world – together.
As we look ahead, we confront challenges of staggering scale – escalating conflicts, climate chaos, runaway technologies, and threats to the very fabric of our institution.
This is no time for timidity or retreat. Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone.
On this UN Day, let us stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of our United Nations – and show what is possible when ‘we the peoples’ act as one.” END QUOTE

Before I take my seat, Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me again commend the Government and people of Ghana for their consistent commitment to the principles on which the United Nations was built – peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

Let this day remind us that the future we seek must be built together – with resolve, with compassion, and with shared purpose.

The same spirit that rebuilt the world in 1945 must renew it again in 2025.

Thank you