Ghana obtained the highest number of votes of 185 out of 190 compared to the four other member states that were elected

The General Assembly of the United Nations on Friday (11 June 2021) elected Ghana to serve a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council 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 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey cast Ghana’s vote.

 

“Ghana congratulates Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Albania and Gabon for their respective successful elections and look forward to working closely with all the new members of the Council when our tenure commences in January 2022,” a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.

 

 

The endorsement of the African Union and the ECOWAS is deeply appreciated. With situations in Africa dominating the agenda of the Security Council, “we vow to work assiduously to assist in addressing the conflicts on the continent and sustain the peace the people of Africa need. As is well known, issues on Africa constitute 70 percent of the Security Council’s agenda.”

“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 the challenges confronting our world today, including violent extremism, terrorism, malicious cyber threats, illicit trafficking of arms, climate change, etc.

“The effective leadership being demonstrated by Ghana’s President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as Chair of ECOWAS provides synergy for our membership of the Security Council, particularly in addressing the conflict situations in some parts of the West Africa region and the Sahel. Ghana will bring to bear on the work of the Council her experience in conflict mediation, prevention and reconstruction.

 

 

 

“Ghana will also use her tenure on the Security Council to seek for a stronger and deeper collaboration and cooperation between the United Nations and regional bodies in a manner that enhances complementarity and ensures effectiveness of coordinated action,” the statement added.

 

 

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 our priorities will include:

1. Commitment to placing the critical agenda of conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and multilateralism at the heart of UN peace and security agenda;
2. 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 States towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic;
3. 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;
4. Strengthening partnerships between the United Nations and continental and regional organizations such as the African Union and ECOWAS in conflict prevention, peacekeeping operations and special political missions; and
5. Addressing conflicts caused by environmental factors such as land degradation, desertification, drought and climate change.

“Ghana stands ready to be an active and instrumental member of the Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. Once again, Ghana is grateful to the African Union and ECOWAS for endorsing our candidacy and to all Member States of the United Nations for giving us the opportunity to collaborate with them and be a voice for Africa on the Council.”