By: Hannah Dadzie
Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations, Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman says Ghana is committed to ensuring global peace and security on the continent, as the issue of violent extremism and terrorism have become Africa’s major challenging issues.
Addressing Press Corps of the UN in New York, Mr Agyeman commended Gabon for the strong leadership it brought to the Council, during its Presidency in the month of October.
He said Ghana will build upon Gabon’s exemplary African leadership in a way that will help address threats to peace and security in the sub region.
“This is the 7th Presidency of Ghana since it first joined the Security Council in 1962/1963. And this is the fourth time we’ve been on the Council” Mr Agyeman indicated.
Ambassador Agyeman outlined activities lined up for the month of November including two signature events, the first which will be on peace building and sustainable peace, an open ministerial debate on the topic “Integrating Effective Resilience Building in Peace Operations for Sustainable Development” which will be chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
“The purpose of the debate is to seek a focus conversation on how best to balance the kinetic and non-kinetic aspects of peace operations, in a way that helps to restore peace and address some of the underlying drivers, particular on the conflict on the African continent” the Ambassador stated
The second signature event, he said will be on November 10, 2022 and will take place under the agenda item threats to international peace and security on the topic “Counter-terrorism in Africa: An Imperative for Global Peace, Security and Development” a debate which will be chaired by President Akufo-Addo.
It will focus attention on how Counter-terrorism measures or how efforts in Africa can best be supported by work of the Security Council and how the council itself can support such effort including through adequate, predictable and sustainable funding.
He said the Permanent Representative Council will have the 4th Breakfast meeting with the elders on how best the council can be supported to address its mandate in the midst of the present geopolitical context and reality at hand.
He added that on November 14, 2022, there will be a briefing on the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations by Police Commissioners which will highlight issues such as improving performance and improvement of United Nations Policing and build on security council resolutions 24, 36 of 2018 and ongoing efforts to access impact.
When asked about the crisis in Ethiopia, Ambassador Agyeman said Ghana is concerned about the situation and will continue to support the effort of the African Union Mediation to help bring a lasting solution with the help of the International community.
