Mr. Kwame Tua Opoku, 63, of Ghana, has been appointed the first Ombudsman of the United Nations office in Vienna, as well as of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Mr. Opoku is a United Nations retiree with 22 years of service with the organization. His service as the Ombudsman will be available to United Nations staff in Vienna, beginning in early May.

The establishment of the Office of Ombudsman is another step in the ongoing effort to improve the governance of the office, and to provide the staff with mechanisms to enhance the resolution of disputes, thereby contributing to a more productive work environment.

Mr. Opoko has an LL.B. M.C.L. and a Doctorat d'Etat (Doctoral en Droit). His previous work experience with the United Nations was first as deputy Legal Liaison officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and then as Legal Liaison officer/Senior Legal Liaison officer, United Nations Office at Vienna.

During his career at the United Nations, he has served as secretary of the Joint Appeals Board and Joint Disciplinary Committee, and also as coordinator of the Panel on Discrimination and other Grievances. He is fluent in English, French and German.