Ghana’s maiden membership was during the 1962-1963 term, the second came after two decades later for the 1986-1987 term, and then for the third time from 2006-2007.
Speaking at a virtual reception to launch the country’s bid for reelection, Ghana’s Foreign minister Shirley Botchwey noted that Ghana’s role is pivotal to ensuring peace in Africa while reiterating Ghana’s commitment to collaborating with the United Nations and all its Member States to address global challenges.
According to the President, “Ghana’s continuous leadership in regional security and interventions in West Africa have resulted in the resolution of various political impasses in some countries in the region, including in Togo, Ivory Coast and in recent times in Mali. Currently under my leadership, Ghana spearheaded a regional effort towards the peaceful conduct of elections in Benin, on 11th April, 2021. As Chair of ECOWAS, Ghana will continue relentlessly to collaborate and cooperate with Member States to enhance partnerships with the African Union and the United Nations to help maintain peace and stability in the Sahel”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey expressed appreciation to ECOWAS and the AU for the support.
“We are proud and grateful to be one of Africa’s formally endorsed candidates for the Security Council for the term 2022 to 2023. This endorsement was affirmed at the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held from 6th to 7th February, 2021. We appreciate the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and their endorsement, which made us the uncontested candidate of the African Group for the West African region. We look forward to receiving your overwhelming support in the elections on 11th June, 2021. Our previous bids to serve on the Security Council received broad support from you and we are thankful for the excellent cooperation and friendship we continue to enjoy with all Member States”.
There are two seats up for grabs in the election to be conducted on June 11 this year as Ghana goes head-to-head with Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ghana’s campaign is on the theme “Enhancing Global Peace and Security for Sustainable and Inclusive Development”.
By Nathaniel Nartey
