Ghana commemorates 75th International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Accra, May 29, 2023 – A flag-raising, wreath-laying, and tree planting ceremony took place at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra on Monday, May 29th, 2023, to honor the 75th International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Under the theme “Peace Begins with Me: 75 Years of Peacekeeping,” the event highlighted the significant contributions of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers in safeguarding lives, protecting civilians, and rebuilding communities devastated by conflicts.

Hon. Thomas Mbomba, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, delivered a speech praising the crucial role of UN Peacekeepers in maintaining international peace and security. He expressed gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in peacekeeping missions. Ghana, as one of the pioneering troop contributing countries, has played a vital role in United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Hon. Mbomba acknowledged Ghana’s commitment to peace by sending approximately 100,000 uniformed personnel and civilians to over 35 UN Missions worldwide since the 1960s. He emphasized that Ghana’s contributions have not only brought hope to conflict-affected regions but also brought honor and pride to the nation.

The Deputy Minister revealed that Ghana had been chosen as the host country for an upcoming Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in December 2023. This conference aims to convene global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing UN peacekeeping operations. It will serve as a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging best practices, and strengthening partnerships in the pursuit of sustainable peace. Critical issues, including the protection of civilians, enhancing the safety and security of peacekeepers, promoting the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, and improving the performance and accountability of peacekeeping operations, will be central to the conference’s agenda.

Hon. Mbomba acknowledged the indispensable role of women in peacekeeping and pledged Ghana’s support for their efforts. He highlighted Ghana’s increased deployment of female peacekeepers from both military and police units, affirming the commitment to improve gender parity and integration for effective peacekeeping. During his speech, he congratulated Captain Cecilia Erzuah of the Ghana Armed Forces for being awarded the prestigious 2022 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year accolade. Captain Erzuah’s exceptional work in mainstreaming gender issues while commanding the Ghanaian Engagement Platoon in the UN Interim Security Forces in Abyei (UNISFA) was recognized and celebrated.

In his address, Hon. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, the Deputy Minister for Defence, paid tribute to Ghanaian peacekeepers who have selflessly served in challenging and perilous environments. He expressed gratitude to their families for their unwavering support. Hon. Amankwa-Manu called for increased support for peacekeeping operations, emphasizing the need for necessary resources and empowerment of peacekeepers to carry out their vital missions. He stressed that fostering a culture of peace, promoting dialogue, and addressing the root causes of conflict should be a collective responsibility shared by all individuals.

Mr. Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator, commended Ghana for its unwavering commitment to UN peacekeeping missions over the past six decades. Ghana has contributed soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel to numerous operations worldwide. Out of the 122 countries involved in peacekeeping, Ghana holds the seventh position with 2,756 peacekeepers as of February 2023. Mr. Abani also paid tribute to WOII John Angmor Nartey, who lost his life while serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). WOII Angmor Nartey was among the 103 peacekeepers posthumously