Ghanaian diplomats hold key roles in UN global governance and humanitarian efforts
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Ghana has a significant presence in global governance, conflict resolution, and international humanitarian law through its diplomats at the United Nations. This legacy, anchored by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, continues with high-ranking officials like Edem Wosornu. Kofi Annan, who served as the seventh Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006, revitalized the UN, was the chief architect of the Millennium Development Goals, launched the UN Global Compact, and was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. Edem Wosornu is the Director of Operations and Advocacy for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA, with over two decades of experience in the UN system. Martha Ama Pobee serves as the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and was Ghana鈥檚 first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 2015. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel UNOWAS. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh has held several senior UN appointments, including Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, and currently serves as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya UNSMIL. Ghana's influence stem
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the government's decision to maintain tight public spending, attributing it to commitments under the International Monetary Fund IMF program. His remarks address criticism from the Minority, which claims the government is not spending despite improved economic indicators. Dr. Forson explained that the current administration inherited obligations from the previous New Patriotic Party NPP government's US$3 billion IMF bailout, which included a commitment to achieve a primary fiscal surplus of 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product GDP. He emphasized that IMF agreements are with the government, not political parties, and his administration is responsible for honoring these commitments to ensure Ghana successfully completes the program. The Minister also stated that government spending alone cannot resolve all economic challenges, particularly inflation driven by food prices and global fuel shocks. He noted that fiscal policy must work with monetary policy, highlighting an amendment to the Bank of Ghana Act to make inflation targeting a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank. Dr. Forson expressed confidence that the government's disciplined fiscal approach would keep inflation within the target range, hoping to end the year with inflation at 5 percent.
Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board GoldBod, has defended the GH垄4.5 billion allocation to the institution in 2025, refuting claims of public fund siphoning. Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Gyamfi stated that Parliament lawfully approved the funds as revolving seed capital for GoldBod's operations, explicitly captured in the 2025 Budget Statement. He explained that the Ministry of Finance released the funds at the end of December 2025 after receiving necessary resources. Gyamfi questioned suggestions that the release constituted siphoning, arguing it followed due process and Ghana's public financial management framework. He criticized Abena Osei-Asare, Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee PAC, for her comments, given her role. Gyamfi noted that GoldBod's 2025 financial statements were audited by the Auditor-General with no adverse findings and reported an operational surplus of GH垄909 million in 2025 from internally generated funds, as the government's seed capital was received at the financial year's end. He challenged the PAC Chairperson to find evidence of misappropriation in GoldBod's audited financials. Gyamfi also clarified that losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana under its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme should not be conflated with GoldBod's operations, as they are distinct entities with separate mandates.
A Ghanaian mother has gained widespread attention for her passionate coaching of her daughter, Gakye Nicky, during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ championship. In a video that has circulated widely, the mother is heard shouting instructions in a Ghanaian language from the sidelines as her daughter competed. Her energetic encouragement included urging her daughter not to give up and to "break her hand" and "make sure she cries." The video was shared with a caption stating that the mother's coaching helped her daughter secure a gold medal in the martial art.