Accra, Ghana – May 30 – Ghana joined the global community today in commemorating the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers. A flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony held at the State House forecourt marked the occasion, themed “Fit for the Future: Building Better Together.”
Ghanaian Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul addressed the ceremony, emphasizing the theme’s significance. He stressed the need for adaptability in peacekeeping strategies as global landscapes evolve and highlighted the importance of collaboration in building a more peaceful world. Minister Nitiwul also commended the UN’s focus on increasing female participation in peacekeeping operations.
“Ghana has consistently deployed women peacekeepers, both military and police personnel,” he said. “We remain committed to improving gender parity and integration for effective peacekeeping.”
UN Resident Coordinator to Ghana, Charles Abani, echoed the theme’s message, underscoring the role of UN Peacekeepers in assisting nations transition from conflict to peace. He also noted the focus on adapting to future challenges, particularly those related to youth, peace, and security.
Abani commended Ghana’s contributions to global peacekeeping, praising the nation for being the 7th largest troop contributor and a leader in deploying women peacekeepers. He further lauded Ghana for hosting the successful Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting: “The event was a resounding success, and Ghana made us proud,” he remarked.
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers honors the fallen heroes who lost their lives serving on UN peacekeeping missions and recognizes the ongoing service of men and women deployed worldwide.
The ceremony drew a diverse crowd, including members of the diplomatic corps, security personnel, government officials, students, and the general public. A tree-planting exercise and a photo exhibition showcasing Ghana’s peacekeeping contributions and those of UN Peacekeepers globally followed the ceremony.
