President of UN General Assembly calls on Speaker of Parliament

The President of the 73rd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Her Excellency Mrs Maria Fernanda Espinoza Garces, has described the country as a "key player and actor of the UN Systems" and a "leading partner of multilateralism".

Her Excellency Mrs Maria Espinoza Garces is on a visit to Ghana to strengthen ties between the UN and the country, made these comments during a courtesy call today on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Prof Michael Aaron Oquaye.

Multilateralism is the principle of participation by more parties especially by the governments of different countries.

In view of Ghana's role in the UN, Her Excellency Garces said it is not surprising that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has been appointed by the UN as one of the eminent advocates of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and one of the Gender champions of the AU.

She said, the "Ghana Beyond Aid vision of the President if achieved, will be the second and true Independence of the country because a strong and productive economy is the secret for real Independence."

Welcoming Her Excellency Garces, the Speaker Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye said the UN General Assembly despite its challenges remains "the Assembly of the people of the world."

He urged the UN to continue to take more steps to ensure women equality and address infant mortality, violence and poverty in various parts of the world.

Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye also urged the UN to "address the situation where Africa is placed at a disadvantage by the arrangements of the World Trade Organisation ( WTO) through free trade and open market" that place African countries under keen competition with the advanced countries.

"....the UN General Assembly must set its own agenda to make it strong and relevant in order not to become a mere talking shop," the Speaker added.