Accra, Oct.16, GNA - Ghana on Tuesday marked the 62nd United Nations (UN) Day celebration with renewed commitment to support the current Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki Moon to make the UN more relevant to the world's people.
According to Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD, Ghana has been an active member of the UN since her independence and has also been a genuine collaborator in its activities since then.
At a press briefing and a photo exhibition to mark the day, Mr. Osei-Adjei said the excellent cooperation Ghana has enjoyed with the UN had informed the choice of the theme: "Ghana 50 Years of effective partnership with the UN for sustainable development." Some of the activities to commemorate the occasion include a Flag Raising, Model Security Council Session and what do you know quiz contest.
Mr. Osei-Adjei said the global expectation of UN since its founding had not changed but expanded considerably beyond its three main pillars relating to peace and security, development and human rights. Mr. Osei-Adjei said beside the three pillars, the UN was taking timely decision in addressing climate issues, environmental degradation, humanitarian disasters, terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation of arms among others.
He said the UN, like any human institution was not perfect but was trying hard to meet the rising demand of the current global expectations adding that the UN under the able leadership of Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General began an unprecedented far-reaching reform process to strengthen the organisation to perform its tasks. "We are pleased that the current Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, is equally committed to the reform process," he said. Mr. Osei-Adjei said in manifestation of her commitment to peace and security, Ghana would continue to contribute to peace keeping missions undertaken by the UN and push for greater co-operation, collaborate with UN and the African Union as well as Regional Economic Communities on the continent to enhance the exchange of experiences and to strengthen regional capacity in the area of conflict prevention, resolution and management.
"In this regard, the recent Security Council decision to replace the AU Mission in Darfur with an AU-UN hybrid Force is commendable and we trust that the success of this initiative would serve as a blueprint for future collaborative efforts between the UN and other regional organizations in peacekeeping."
He said in recognition to the essential link between peace and security, development and human rights, the international community was been urged to help implement the global development agenda to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries. Mr. Osei-Adjei also mentioned the issue of climate change, which was unanimously agreed at a recent meeting in New York as posing a formidable challenge to the attainment of the Millennium Development goals.
He said it was therefore encouraging that at the high level meeting both developed and developing countries pledged to undertake the necessary actions to halt and possibly reverse the effects of climate change saying, "Ghana is committed to playing an active role in this important endeavour."
He commended the UN for its support to victims of the recent flooding in the country and paid tribute to UN agencies for their prompt and effective response to humanitarian challenge posed by the floods both in Ghana and in other parts of Africa.
