President Akufo-Addo with President Marie-Louise
President Akufo-Addo has expressed dissatisfaction with the inability of the United Nation (UN) to reform its institutions to reflect the realities of today.
He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to the reforms of the global political order, saying “the inability of the UN to undertake the reforms of its institutions to reflect the realities of today and not the realities of the post-war world represents a manifest injustice against the peoples of Africa.”
He raised the concern when the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, called on him at the Flagstaff House yesterday.
Issues
Addressing a press conference held by the two leaders, an obviously unhappy President Akufo-Addo said “we, on this continent, are an integral part of the global order and global institutions should reflect this fact.”
“For a handful of states who emerged as the dominant powers in the world after the Second World War of the 20th century to continue in the 21st century to be the sole arbiters of international security remains to us a structural deficit which the world community should no longer tolerate,” he emphasized.
He stressed the importance Ghana as a country attaches to reforms at the UN, especially of the UN Security Council as set out in Africa’s Common Position on UN Reform based on the Ezulwini Consensus, and solicited the support of Malta for this position.
“It is time to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represent for the nations of Africa,” he insisted.
The Maltese President Marie-Louise expressed her desire to collaborate with Ghana to this end.
Resolutions
Ghana and Malta have agreed to extend support to candidates from their respective countries vying for positions in international organisations.
Ghana has backed Malta’s bid for membership of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in elections which would take place later this year.
Malta, on the other hand, would also support Ghana’s bid for a Non-Permanent seat at the UN Security Council from 2020 to 2021.
Support would also be offered to Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, who intends to be a Judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as part of the agreement.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has since been signed to that effect by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.
On the issue of migration, President Akufo-Addo said “we have seen and continue to see the high numbers of young Africans taking distressing risks across the Sahara and around the Mediterranean, trying to reach a better life.”
“While we strive to provide the youth with the right environment in Africa, which would enable them enhance their skills, receive appropriate training, and have access to digital technology and enhanced economic opportunities, Her Excellency the President and her delegation have reiterated their commitment to champion the need for humane treatment of illegal migrants, as well as the protection of their human rights in accordance with international law, both at home and on EU platforms,” he noted.
Commitments
He also reiterated government’s commitment to collaborating with the EU and government and people of Malta to address illegal migration.
A Business Forum between the Chambers of Commerce, as well the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has been scheduled for today to identify trade and business opportunities that would mutually benefit the two countries.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent