Delivering the keynote address at Ghana’s commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the United Nations, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, emphasized the urgent need to restore confidence in global multilateralism.
Speaking under this year’s theme, “UN at 81: Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation,” the Deputy Minister addressed the growing disconnect between international promises and daily realities.
He noted that confidence in global governance frays when international bodies fail to halt devastating conflicts, apply international law selectively, or fall short on climate and sustainable development financing.
”For Ghana, restoring trust requires action, not rhetoric. We need a UN that acts consistently, fulfills its mandate, and delivers tangible results,” Quayson stated.
Reiterating the foreign policy stance of President John Dramani Mahama before the UN General Assembly, the Deputy Minister called for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council.
He underscored the imperative of granting Africa permanent representation to bring global governance in line with contemporary geopolitical realities and the sovereign equality of nations.
On the domestic front, Gyakye Quayson highlighted the fruitful partnership between Ghana and the United Nations country team. He pointed to vital interventions aligned with national development priorities, including social protection frameworks like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program and the One Million Coders Program, which leverage international cooperation for sustainable national growth.
Reflecting on Ghana’s rich legacy of international service spanning peacekeeping operations since its first deployment to the Congo in 1960, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed that peace and security remain central to the nation’s foreign engagement.
He stressed that contemporary threats, from violent extremism across the Gulf of Guinea to transnational organized crime, demand unified, cross-border responses grounded in mutual trust and respect for international law.
Furthermore, the address welcomed significant strides in acknowledging historical atrocities, specifically highlighting the UN General Assembly’s adoption of Resolution A-80-250, which declares the transatlantic slave trade and racialized chattel enslavement as grave crimes against humanity.
”For Ghana, this is not simply a question of revisiting the past. It is about advancing justice, restoring dignity, and addressing the continuing legacies of enslavement,” he noted, adding that Ghana will continue to work alongside the African Union, CARICOM, and global partners to translate the resolution into meaningful action.
Concluding his address, James Gyakye Quayson called on the international community to treat the 81st anniversary not merely as a moment of reflection, but as a renewed call to action to build an inclusive, equitable, and effective United Nations capable of commanding the trust of all member states.
Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
