An Inter-Ministerial Committee Ad Hoc Committee has begun meetings in Accra to plan series of activities for the celebration of the 78th United Nations Day, to be climaxed on October 24 with a flag-raising ceremony at the forecourt of the State House.
Ghana will mark the day with a localised theme to be coined from the theme of the 78th session of the General Assembly ‘rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.’
Each year, a number of events are held globally to mark the UN Day. Activities range from special ceremonies, seminars, panel discussions, symposia to series of briefings for students, art competitions, rallies, film screening and book/photo exhibitions, media campaigns among others.
The committee chaired by Tahiru Iddrisu, Director at the Multilateral Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on Friday held its second meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regional Integration, planning to undertake, among other activities, a health walk, media engagement on various media platforms to educate the public on the existence of the United Nations.
The committee is made up of officials of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defence, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, United Nation office in Accra, Ghana Prison Service, Ghana Education Service, Information Service Department, State Protocol and the media.
Each member institution is expected to play a part in the activities line-up for the celebration, including photo exhibition showcasing the achievements and challenges of the organsiation since its inception.
The United Nations has set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, in order to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all so that “no one is left behind.”
With just about seven years to the close of the SDGs Agenda 2030, the global community is keen to review progress so far and call for accelerated action towards achieving peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.
There is growing concern among the global community that after all, most countries may not be able to realise the key targets in the SDGs, given the current global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and conflicts around the world.
Established with the coming into force of the UN Charter in 1945 after the 2nd World War, the global organisation had been working over the past 78 years of its existence to safeguard peace, protect human rights, establish the framework for international justice and promote economic and social progress.
The UN through its specialised agencies continues to engage in a wide array of activities to improve people’s lives around the world – from disaster relief, through education and advancement of women, to peaceful uses of atomic energy.
By Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman
