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During her visit to Ghana as an SDG Eminent Advocate, Queen Mathilde of Belgium commended Ghana for its SDG leadership and local ownership. She spoke with traditional leaders on tackling child marriage, and she encouraged students to be agents of change. During a public lecture with the Queen, President Akufo-Addo suggested that the realisation of the SDGs could be a major turning point for the whole continent. Previously, at the pan-African SDGs Roundtable in December, President Akufo-Addo said that the Global Goals must propel Africa beyond aid and that a change of narrative was absolutely imperative.
In November, a Multi-Stakeholder Conference on the SDGs explored “Opportunities in Sustainable Development through Strategic Partnerships”. It was organised upon the initiative of the CSOs Platform on the SDGs and Deloitte, under the auspices of the Office of the President, and in collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission, Ghana Statistical Service, and the UN in Ghana. In his message, President Akufo-Addo said the achievement of the SDGs in Ghana needs a strategic, innovative multi-stakeholder partnership, that involves the youth and unleashes the potential of women, as well as empowered citizens that hold Government accountable, and a committed, vibrant private sector.
The President stressed the need to continue raising awareness on the SDGs. Timely, the UN, in collaboration with the CSOs Platform on the SDGs, launched a booklet of SDG advocacy messages. The publication suggests why each of the goals should matter to us and what we can do, as individuals, to contribute to their successful implementation in Ghana and to ensure that no one is left behind.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has launched the national Zero Hunger Strategic Review (ZHSR), a comprehensive national report and road map which will inform national efforts to achieve a zero hunger by 2030. Prepared under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning, the report establishes a baseline that fosters a joint understanding of the challenges and gaps in the national response to food and nutrition security, leading to a joint agreement and consensus on priority actions required to achieve the SDGs 2, to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
Present at the launch were the WFP Regional Director Mr. Abdou Dieng, the Former President of Ghana and Head of the John A. Kufuor Foundation, HE John A. Kufuor, and the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine Evans-Klock.
Human Rights
UNHCR Ghana calls on Government to accede to UN Conventions on Statelessness
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ghana office and the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) have called on the Government to develop the legal pathways for local integration of protracted refugees in the country and accede to the two UN Conventions on Statelessness. The call was contained in a statement read in Parliament by a Member of Parliament of Ningo-Prampram, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, as part of commemorative events of World Refugee Day in Accra.
At a ceremony held in Accra in commemoration of the Day, the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine Evans-Klock commended Ghana’s efforts at meeting the needs of refugees over the past years. In a video message to mark the Day, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, disclosed that a Global Compact on Refugees will be presented to the UN General Assembly this year. He added that the Compact on Refugees “offers a way forward and recognizes the contributions that refugees make to the societies hosting them.” The UN Head expressed concern about the lack of protection for refugees. He called for the re-establishment of the integrity of the international refugee protection regime. Read further.
Peace
International Day of UN Peacekeepers 70th Anniversary in Ghana
The 70th anniversary of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers was observed in Ghana with two major events. The first was a high-level dialogue on the anniversary theme: “United Nations Peacekeepers: 70 Years of Service and Sacrifice”, bring together former UN staff who shared with an audience of about 300, their experiences during their service as peacekeepers. For the first time since his retirement from active service, the First Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Emmanuel Erskine, was invited via Skype to join in the conversation. His message all UN Peacekeepers and aspirants was: “Respect the cultures and religion of indigenous population you meet”.
The second event was a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony held in honour of Ghanaian Peacekeepers all over the world and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Ms. Christine Evans-Klock and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey addressed the gathering. Read further.
Women & Children
National Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Conference and the launch of the Nurturing Care Framework
The First National Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Conference (MCHNC) has taken place in Accra to ‘‘map out strategies to decrease disparities in health services delivery and increase Universal Health Coverage. The 3-day conference, held from June 12 – 14, 2018, provided a platform to review the activities of 2017, deliver technical updates on health policies, strategies and innovations, and exchange information among partners and stake holders. The conference, under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships for achieving Universal Health Coverage in Reproductive Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition” was opened by the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo. Present at the opening were the Minister of Health. Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, the Director of Family Health of the GHS, Dr. Patrick K. Aboagye, traditional leaders, Queen Mothers, representatives of development partners and key stakeholders.Read further
Inside the UN
Interview with Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, UNFPA Country Representative, Ghana
Mr. Niyi Ojuolape has been the Representative of UNFPA Ghana since August 2017. In this interview, he talks about his aspirations for his work in Ghana at UNFPA as well as in his role as Champion of the UN Communications Group, how to ensure that every young person’s dream is realised, the potential he sees in the Ghanaian youth and the challenges to harness this potential. He speaks about family planning, reproductive rights, sexual education, the importance to empower young girls, as well as some other topics he is passionate about. Access the interview here.
