for peaceful conflict prevention mechanisms

The United Nations (UN) on Friday commended Ghana for developing mechanisms that ensured peaceful resolution of disputes, citing the country’s National Architecture for Peace as a “sterling” model to the global community on conflict settlement.

It said achievements of the UN in political mediations had been made possible as a result of support from member states like Ghana, which had consistently contributed to the global goal of mediation as a means for peacefully settling disputes.

"The resulting national capacity for peaceful relations across differences underpins the optimism that Ghana is well on the road to improve levels of human development,” Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana said at a press briefing on the 66th UN Day celebrations in Accra.

“The UN commits to further support the country’s peace initiatives,” she added.

The 66th UN Day which falls on Monday, October 24, would witness Ghana joining the rest of the world to observe the Day, geared towards emphasizing preventive measures to conflict resolution.

Ghana is to celebrate the Day, which marks anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, with a week-long series of events aimed at reflecting on issues of global concern and to bring workings of the UN closer to the people.

This year's event on the theme: “The Role of Mediation in the Settlement of Disputes by Peaceful Means” would improve understanding on the importance of mediation as a panacea to peaceful resolution of disputes.

Activities to mark the Day include “What do you know” quiz programme, Talking Point on Ghana Television, a Model UN Session by schools, a flag raising ceremony, adult education programmes in various dialects across the country.

In addition, the UN would visit some schools in Greater Accra, Volta and Central regions to engage students on the UN’s role and mandate, and commitments by world leaders to alleviate poverty.

Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in an address read for him described this year's theme of the celebration as timely because the UN Charter enjoined member states to settle disputes by peaceful means.

He noted that despite occasional setbacks, mediation had also proven to be the most cost-efficient instrument for settlement of disputes, adding that the peaceful resolution of disputes was a sovereign responsibility of any State.

The Sector Minister said Ghana in keeping with the responsibility of settling disputes peacefully, had taken the needed steps by establishing important bodies to deal with conflict situations in the country.

In addition, Ghana in keeping with international law, treaty obligations and the settlements of disputes by peaceful means, would continuously explore avenues for peaceful; mediation of conflicts both internally and in the sub-region.