Ghana will assume the presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on November 1, 2022.
As President of the council, Ghana will hold a high-level debate on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security’ on November 10, 2022, to be chaired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The debate will be on the theme: ‘Counter-terrorism in Africa – An imperative for peace, security and development.’
and the ambition of terrorist organisations to expand their reach beyond the Sahel until they can control territories in other parts of West Africa,” the statement said.
Unaddressed structural factors
It made reference to evidence, including reports of the UN Secretary-General, which indicated that unaddressed structural factors could contribute to the resurgence of conflicts during or after peace support missions.
“The emerging trends and dynamics linked to traditional and non-traditional security threats confront the Security Council with new challenges.
“These require the council to devise new approaches to ensure a balanced response to both military operations and the underlying causes of conflict to ensure sustainable peace,” it said.
Furthermore, the statement indicated that strengthening peace operations in contemporary times was a critical issue for sustainable peace among nations and also building the credibility and effectiveness of the Security Council.
Ghana’s election
On June, 11, 2021, the General Assembly of the UN, at its meeting in New York, elected Ghana to serve a two-year term on the Security Council from January 2022 to December 2023, with Ghana’s agenda focusing on enhancing global peace and security for sustainable and inclusive development, particularly in Africa.
Ghana secured 185 votes out of the 190 votes cast, the highest number of votes, compared to the votes obtained by the four other Member States – Brazil, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Albania and Gabon – that were also elected, further underlying Ghana’s high standing in the UN.
It was the fourth time Ghana was elected to serve on the Security Council, the previous times being 1962 – 1963, 1986 – 1987 and 2006 – 2007.
In August 2006, President Akufo-Addo, then the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, chaired the meeting of the Security Council which took the decision that halted Israel’s massive incursions into Lebanon.
