UN Department of Public Information holds conference with NGOs

Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) on Wednesday held a day's conference with Coalition of NGOs affiliated to the UN to discuss topical issues.

The annual conference is a prelude to global conference scheduled for Melbourne, Australia from August 30-September 1, under the theme; "Advance Global Health: Achieve the MDGs."

The Ghana conference is to accelerate activities of the UN to a higher level and make it more relevant to meet expectations of member states and as a platform for self-examination of activities in the past year and chart a new course to achieve mandate of the Department.

Mr Ismail Omer, Resident Representative of World Food Programme (WFP), addressing the participants explained that at the Melbourne Conference local NGO delegates would be expected to actively participate in the various workshops and roundtable discussions on issues.

These include bridging the health gap and encouraging equity of treatment and access, addressing failed maternal and child health strategies, promoting civic activism around health as well as strengthening an integrated approach to achieving health for all.

He said with about five years towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of 2015, the Department as well as the UN System required to review their efforts to make the needed adjustments to achieve the objectives.

Mr Omer said the relationship between UN and its affiliated NGOs had developed significantly over the years as they worked together to achieve the objectives of UN Charter and provide valuable inputs on policy and programme issues.

These are peace building, disarmament, HIV and AIDS, malaria prevention, disaster reduction, health, food security as well as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

Mr Abraham K. Nunoo, National Information Officer, UN Information Centre, Accra, said presentations on the MDGs, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, H1N1, hepatitis and the cancers namely breast, cervical and prostrate in Ghana, would be made at the local conference to facilitate a better understanding of such issues for better articulation by delegates for strong advocacy, global assistance and support.