The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has confirmed that one of its associate directors got missing this week while on holiday in South Africa.

Charlotte Nikoi, 50, a Ghanaian national, arrived in the country from New York a week ago.

According to Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, her spouse reported her missing after they had gone hiking up Table Mountain on Tuesday (March 21).

Madame Nikoi is an associate director for human resources at UNICEF's headquarters in New York.

UNICEF spokesperson Najwa Mekki said they are fully co-operating with the local police and hope that she will return safely to her family.

Madam Nikoi has, in the past, worked for the World Food Programme in Italy and Angola. Search operations by rangers have been unsuccessful so far.