GHANA ELECTED TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL FOR THE 2022-

2023 TERM 

The Embassy of Ghana in Berlin wishes to inform the public that on Friday, 11th June, 2021, the General Assembly of the United Nations elected Ghana to serve a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period January 2022 to December 2023. Ghana secured 185 votes out of 190 votes cast. Ghana obtained the highest number of votes compared to the four other Member States that were elected, further cementing Ghana’s high standing in the comity of nations.

The endorsement of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is deeply appreciated. Ghana also thanks all other Member States for their confidence in Ghana’s candidacy. The broad support for Ghana confirms the trust Member States have in our membership of the Council and Ghana’s capacity to help address challenges confronting our world today including violent extremism, terrorism, climate change, etc.

As indicated during our campaign, Ghana’s tenure on the Council will focus on Enhancing Global Peace and Security for Sustainable and Inclusive Development. Some of the priorities include:

I. Commitment to placing the critical agenda of conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and multilateralism at the heart of UN peace and security agenda;

ii. Promotion of Human Rights, sustainable development, peace and security in advancing the work of the Security Council, especially at a time when the United Nations is mobilising all Member Stated towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic;

iii. Advocacy for the implementation of the actions recommended by the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, such as improved strategic planning, better force generation, enhanced safety and security and strengthened efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse;

iv. Strengthening partnerships between the United Nations and continental and regional organizations such as the AU and ECOWAS in conflict prevention, peacekeeping operations and special political missions; and

v. Addressing conflicts caused by environmental factors such as land degradation, desertification, drought and climate change.

Ghana stands in readiness to be an active and instrumental member of the UNSC for the maintenance of international peace and security. Ghana is grateful to the AU, ECOWAS and all Member States of the UN for the opportunity to collaborate with them and be a voice for Africa on the Council.

EMBASSY OF GHANA BERLIN

 14TH JUNE, 2021

HON. DR. MATTHEW OPOKU PREMPEH, MINISTER FOR ENERGY, PARTICIPATES IN THE 14TH GERMAN-AFRICAN ENERGY FORUM, 1ST-2ND JUNE, 2021 IN HAMBURG

At the invitation of the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein), Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh led Ghana’s delegation to the 14^th German-African Energy Forum in Hamburg, Germany from 1^st to 2^nd June 2021.

The Forum was the Honourable Minister’s first in-person conference since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The Forum which was held under the theme; Regaining Momentum: Africa’s Energy leading to a Smart, Green & Inclusive Economic Transformation, was aimed at inciting innovative and realistic business solutions for Africa’s energy challenges. The Forum offered Ghana’s Energy Minister the opportunity to shed some light on Ghana’s progress in the sector so far as well as indicate areas that needed support.                                                         Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh during Panel Discussion

Whilst there, the Honourable Minister also participated in a panel discussion with the Minister for Power of Nigeria and the Permanent Secretary on Energy of Senegal. In his submission, Hon. Dr. Opoku Prempeh asked investors to set realistic expectations in the energy industry in Africa. He stated that many sub-Saharan African countries had not industrialized yet, thus energy consumption remained low. In that regard, he underscored that investment in the processing of raw materials and the manufacturing industry of Ghana was a good step to increasing the gains in the energy sector.On Ghana-Germany relations, he indicated that Ghana was currently working on equitable basis with the German government through its development agencies and the German Development Bank (KfW) to implement major transmission and renewable energy generation projects across the country.

The Honourable Minister was accompanied by Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Gina Blay, Mr. Kwame Agyeman-Badu, Managing Director, Electricity Company of Ghana as well as officials of the Volta River Authority, the Energy Ministry and the Embassy of Ghana in Berlin.

                                                                    Amb. Gina Blay with officials from Ghana Delegation

    Amb. Gina Blay with Counsellor, Economic, Trade & Investment of the Embassy, Ms. Miriam Aba Arhin