The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, today led the nation in commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations at a Flag Raising Ceremony and Photo Exhibition. The Minister used the solemn occasion to deliver a passionate tribute to Ghanaian peacekeepers while forcefully renewing the call for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council.
The ceremony was held under the theme: “U.N. at Eighty: Ghana and the U.N. Shared Responsibility for a Better Tomorrow.”
In his opening remarks, Ablakwa paid a heartfelt tribute to the men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces and the entire security services for their enduring sacrifices in global peace operations.
He noted that 65 years after Ghana’s inaugural deployment to the Congo in 1960, the nation remains a Top 10 troop-contributing country to the UN. The Minister highlighted the exemplary professionalism of Ghanaian troops, recalling the poignant story of Rwanda, where Ghana’s forces courageously defied the mass withdrawal by contingents from more heavily equipped nations.
“In various theatres of conflict, when other countries have left, because of compassion, because of courage, because of the respect for human life, Ghanaian troops stayed behind. They never left Rwanda,” the Minister stated, drawing a resounding ovation from the audience. He stressed that this unwavering commitment to the task has earned Ghanaian troops global renown, making the nation “a nation grateful, an international community grateful.”
The Minister reaffirmed Ghana’s deep partnership with the UN, noting that the global body emerged from the ashes of the Second World War as a “beacon of hope” dedicated to peace, development, and human rights.
He catalogued the vital role of various UN agencies including the UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, FAO, and UNESCO in supporting Ghana’s national development efforts, from enhancing healthcare and expanding educational opportunities to advancing governance reforms and aligning national priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Minister underscored Ghana’s active role in humanitarian protection, announcing that he had the honour, on behalf of the country, to sign the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel during the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. This commitment, he said, reflects Ghana’s resolve to ensure that those who risk their lives to save others are themselves protected.
While celebrating the UN’s achievements, Ablakwa echoed the urgent need for institutional reform, a call initially made by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President John Dramani Mahama, at the 80th UN General Assembly.
The Minister stressed that Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council constitutes a glaring injustice. He pointed out that 20 years have passed since the Ezulwini Consensus where the African continent made an unambiguous demand for justice, yet global governance structures fail to reflect today’s realities.
“If we are truly to share responsibility for a better tomorrow, then our international institutions must reflect today’s global realities. It is time for Africa to have a full and equal voice at the decision-making table,” he declared.
The Minister concluded by holding up Ghana as an example for global peace, proudly noting that “Ghana has never started any war in any part of this world,” urging other nations to emulate this inspiring example for a world without conflict. He also paid tribute to former First Lady, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, describing her as a renowned stateswoman who embodied the values of equality and principle celebrated by the UN.
Story: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
