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Ghana today joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 73rd Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations on 24thOctober 1945 in San Francisco in the United States of America.

The United Nations was formed to replace the League of Nations after World War II with the aim of preventing another such conflict, promote human rights and spearhead development around the world. 

Upon attainment of independence in 1957, Ghana was admitted into the United Nations on March 8, 1957 and has since remained a respectable member of the global body, responding to several calls for action especially in the areas of Peacekeeping, Emergency Response, Disaster Coordination and Democratization processes.

Ghana is also widely acclaimed for providing the United Nations with some of the finest international civil servants notable among them,  Mr Alex Quayson-Sackey, first black African to preside over the UN General Assembly, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse; first female Director-General of ILO, Dr.Anarfi Asamoah Baah; former Deputy Director-General of WHO, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Dr. K.Y Amoako, the late Nana Wereko Ampem, Dr. Sam Jonah, Daasebre Oti Boateng,  Prof Alex Kwapong, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Prof. Fred Sai; Mr. Robert Gardner, Mr Kenneth Dadzie, Dr. Leticia Obeng, Lt.Gen. Henry Anyidoho and ultimately the late Mr Kofi Annan who became the 7th Secretary-General of the Organisation.

Aside the global theme of “Making the United Nations relevant to all people; global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”, Ghana’s commemoration would also be guided by a local theme “Legacy of Kofi Annan: An illustrious son of Ghana and Global statesman” to further highlight the achievements and contributions of the late global icon.

“It is the sincere hope of the Government of Ghana that many of the citizens would learn more about the United Nations and its works and realise the need for all to have a shared responsibility in making its goals attainable for a sustainable society”, says Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

A Flag Raising Ceremony will be held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra to mark the day, among other events planned to commemorate the 73rd Anniversary of the United Nations.