Ghana's partnership with UN fruitful- Toure

Accra, Oct. 24, GNA - Mr. Daouda Toure, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Ghana, on Wednesday observed that Ghana's partnership with the United Nations (UN) in the last 50 years had been fruitful. He thus pledged the UN's continual support and re-affirmed the organization's commitment to help Ghana to attain economic emancipation. Mr. Toure made his observation prior to reading a statement by the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon at the flag raising ceremony to mark 62nd United Nations Day in Ghana on the theme: "Ghana: 50 Years of Effective Partnership with the United Nations for Sustainable Development."

Quoting Mr Ban, he said the world was changing in favour of the United Nations, as more people understood that multi-lateralism was the only path in our interdependent and globalizing world.

"Global problems demand global solution and going it alone is not a viable option. Whether we are speaking peace and security, development or human rights, demands on our organization are growing everyday." The UN Secretary-General therefore urged Ghana and other developing countries to redouble efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and said he would mobilize political will and hold leaders to their commitment on aid, trade and debt relief.

Touching on climate change, Mr Ban said he would continue to galvanize global and decisive action on climate change and urged member nations to endeavour to protect the climate for present and future generations.

Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Minister of the Interior, said Ghana fully embraced the MDGs because as a developing country one of her fundamental interests in belonging to the UN was to harness the wealth of knowledge and expertise of the organization in furtherance of her economic and social advancement.

"In this regard we have instituted good governance as a guarantee for the social stability which is indispensable for the sustainable development of the country."

Mr Bartels pointed out that the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy II embodied the MDGs.

The Interior Minister expressed the country's gratitude to the UN for the prompt humanitarian assistance offered to alleviate the hardships of flood victims in the northern of the country. Ghana joined the UN on 8th March 1957.

Ms Myra Togobo, President of the Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA), called on member countries to work towards maximizing their successes by building on their achievements and improving on the existing gaps.

"In our view sustainable development is all about improving, maximizing, establishing workable and lasting systems, equity, social development and conservation of natural resources." Ms. Togobo mentioned poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS and climate change as emerging challenges that needed attention in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

She also urged an increased private sector involvement in the Ghana-UN partnership efforts and called for support from government and the UN to youth development oriented organizations working to promote the ideals of the UN. 24 Oct. 07