Ghana celebrated the 77th International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers with a flag-raising and wreath-laying event in Accra on May 29, 2022.
The theme for this year's celebration is "People. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships," and it provides an opportunity to honor the contributions of both uniformed and civilian personnel to the Organization's work, as well as the nearly 4,200 peacekeepers who have died serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 135 last year.
Mr. Thomas Mbomba, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and Mr. Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, respectively raised the Ghana and UN flags.
Mr. Abani lay wreaths on behalf of the United Nations, while Mr. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Ghana's Deputy Minister of Defense, did so on behalf of Ghana.
Peacekeeping is not only a unique tool used by the UN to help secure global peace and security, but it is also one of the most effective investments made by the international community to support peace, security, and prosperity, according to Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in a speech read on her behalf.
"While peacekeeping comes at a tragically high cost in terms of lives lost, it pays off in terms of lives saved and has a positive impact on millions of people throughout the world."
She stated that Ghana thought the 55 peacekeeping missions across the world were made possible by a strong and successful relationship between the UN Secretariat, the Security Council, and the nations that supplied uniformed people.
She stated that the UN had effectively accomplished its mandates throughout the years, with just 12 missions left in existence around the world.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey stated that Ghana had maintained its position as one of the top ten troop-contributing nations, guided by the commitment to promote peace and security throughout the world, and that Ghana's men and women in the military, police, and prison service continued to serve with professionalism and distinction.
In her present capacity as Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as her participation in the UN Security Community, she reaffirmed that this commitment was also high on Ghana's agenda.
"Our goals for the Council reflect our commitment to peacekeeping and conflict prevention," she added.
"Strengthening ties between the UN and continental and regional organizations like the African Union (AU) is critical, in our opinion."
"We also believe that effective peacekeeping activities require stronger post-conflict rehabilitation, better strategic planning, better force creation, greater safety and security, and strengthened measures to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse." Ghana's commitment to the Action for Peace (A4P) Initiative and the statement of shared commitments was reiterated by the Minister.
"As a result, we are pleased by the action plan to strengthen UN security, the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, and the remarkable advancements made so far in the A4P Initiative."
Mr. Abani, who praised Ghana's long-standing commitment to UN peacekeeping, said the country is currently sending nearly 2,600 military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping missions in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Mali, Middle East Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
Ghana, he added, has the biggest contingent of women peacekeepers, with 850 troops, 115 of which were women peacekeepers, and should be commended for this feat.
Mr. Kofi Amankwa-Manu urged the United Nations, member nations, and international agencies and organizations to work together to achieve global peace and security.
"Peacekeeping is a collaborative effort and collaboration that is vital to ensuring long-term peace and security, particularly in vulnerable areas." We'll never be able to succeed if we're on our own. We are stronger as a team and can continue to make a positive difference in people's lives."