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’s 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
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadGhana's Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its judgment on July 29, 2026, in a case challenging the delegates system used by political parties. The plaintiffs, former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng; veteran politician Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe; and former Minister for Lands and Forestry, Christine Amoako-Nuamah, presented their arguments on June 10, 2026. They are seeking a declaration that all registered members of a political party in good standing should be allowed to vote in internal primaries, arguing that the current delegate system for electing flagbearers is undemocratic and inconsistent with Article 55 of the 1992 Constitution. The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that the state has filed legal arguments supporting the case, which he believes could become a significant constitutional case in Ghana's Fourth Republic, strengthening the country's democratic system. The suit names the National Democratic Congress NDC, the New Patriotic Party NPP, and the Convention People’s Party CPP, with the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General also joined.
Activities at the Out-Patient Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital KATH have normalized following the suspension of a four-day industrial action by doctors. Patients were seen returning to the facility on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, as doctors resumed consultations and appointments. Hospital sources confirmed that medical personnel and other health workers had returned to full-time duties, improving service delivery. The strike, initiated by the Komfo Anokye Doctors Association, was in protest of the suspension of the hospital's Chief Executive Officer, Professor Otchere Addai-Mensah. Doctors described the decision as unfair and expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with stakeholders. They had withdrawn emergency and outpatient services, impacting healthcare. The strike was suspended after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, intervened and engaged the parties involved. Despite returning to work, the doctors maintain that the government must engage stakeholders to resolve the issues that triggered the industrial action, emphasizing that the suspension of the strike does not mean the underlying problems have been resolved.
Must ReadThe Ghana National Association of Teachers GNAT in the Ashanti Region has threatened to boycott academic activities and disrupt the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE unless a teacher from Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School is released. The teacher was arrested following a viral video depicting a physical altercation with a female student. GNAT claims their investigation shows the teacher committed no wrongdoing and that the viral video misrepresents the incident. A union representative stated that an "order from above" is preventing the teacher's bail and urged those who issued the order to investigate the matter directly at the school. The union warned that if the teacher is not released, all teachers in the district will withdraw their services, potentially leading to the cancellation of WASSCE papers, for which GNAT says they should not be held responsible. They emphasized that this issue affects the entire teaching profession and is not an isolated case. GNAT also reported that the female student involved in the incident has appealed for the teacher's release. The Ghana Police Service arrested the teacher after the video went viral, and the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service, Daniel Fenyi, confirmed that the regional education directorate has launched an investigation.