The day was marked on the theme “Building on the 3Ss-Solidarity, Sustainability and Science- towards a more resilient Ghana.”

Graced with a touch of cultural performance and a parade from the Ghana Navy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms. Shirley AyorkorBotchwey and the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani hoisted the UN and the Ghana flags in affirmation of the continual partnership between the two.

In attendance were some personnel of the security services, members of the diplomatic corps, Heads of UN agencies, youth groups and students.

Ms. Botchwey in an address said that building a more resilient country was tied up with building a more resilient world.

“Both the vision of the UN and recent global experiences reinforce the conclusion that in an interdependent world, we must have an interest in the success of each and every individual, if we are to have resilient communities and societies,” she added.

As such, Ms Botchwey said there was the need for development partners and stakeholders together with the UN offices in the country to take up their responsibility to build a peaceful and safe world, where everyone lived a dignified, peaceful and prosperous life.

She noted that even as the world grappled with economic challenges, the blinking red light of climate change could not be forgotten.

Ms. Botchwey therefore called on developed countries to fulfil their commitment to the Paris Agreement and Glasgow Declaration by ensuring that they adhered to the Mitigation target 1.5 degree Celsius and mobilised $100 billion a year to help poorer countries deal with climate change.

Mr Abani said all hands were needed on deck to find lasting solutions to the numerous global challenges including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts.

He said there was also the need for investments to be made in science and technology for the advancement of humanity.

“We need to create an enabling environment for innovative thinkers and inventors to realise their full potential for the betterment of our lives. We need to empower women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths to take up more challenges and achieve their set goals,” he stated.

“I urge the government, all leaders and stakeholders to invest in science and technology to help bridge the development gap between and within countries, regions and areas,” he added.

Mr Abani emphasised that, the UN would continue support the digital transformation agenda, as it had implemented a number of initiatives in support of the national digital agenda across various areas.

Anani Yao Kuwornu, Interim President, Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA) said it was imperative for an enabling environment where the youth could contribute to policy discussions and national discourse to be created to enable the youth support the development agenda of both the UN and the country.

He further called for increased attention and promotion of youth skills in data science to equip the youth.

“We believe that our participation in the global youth action towards attaining the SDGs will be a sure way in contributing to the objective of the theme. That is why we would like to assure the UN of our steady support for the SDGs,” he stated.

“And strengthen our collaboration with the government and the UN to promote awareness and the call to action on the SDGs,” he added.