raised as to the anachronistic nature of the UN and some challenges that face the current structure of the UN, and how some hold the view that it is not able to sufficiently reflect the emerging trends and challenges of the international system, I would put forth a strong argument that, looking at 74 years of its founding and the balance of power that the UN has been able to exact, and for the key resolutions, treaties and conventions that it has championed, and being able to put together in a coherent manner, not without challenges, all the member states the Non- Aligned Movements, the Third World countries, the super powers and all member States, who play very important roles in the world, I could conclude that UN has indeed served its purpose and its functions that were initially put forth.
Mr Speaker, as we celebrate 74 years of the founding of the UN, Ghana, on the second day after Independence, got inducted into the UN. So, we here on our part are celebrating 72 years of very important contributions of Ghana to the UN.
Since 8th March, 1957, Ghana is noted and highly reputed amongst key countries that have co-sponsored and taken very important decisions at various relevant organs of the UN; and the United Nations General Assembly.
Very important resolutions have been passed; treaties and con- ventions, of which Ghana continues to implement key policies that are targeted at the attainment of the United Nations Charter.
Mr Speaker, it is important to acknowledge the commitment of successive Governments, since Ghana joined the UN, in deepening emphasis of Ghana's Foreign Policy on climate change issues.
One would agree that from the 1960s to 2010 and 2019, the challenges of climate change have increased. It is therefore very important to recognise that with the Foreign Policy of Ghana, emphasis have been laid in response to these emerging trends.
Mr Speaker, of particular notice is the strong commitment of President Akufo-Addo in ensuring that certain important policies are locally aligned to the Charter, aims, conventions and treaties of the UN.
Mr Speaker, in line with the key aspects of Ghana's Foreign Policy as enshrined in article 73 of the Constitution, which I beg to read states:
“The Government of Ghana shall conduct its international affairs
in consonance with the accepted principles of public international law and diplomacy in a manner consistent with the national interest of Ghana.”
Mr Speaker, as the national interest of Ghana has been pursued in consonance with article 40 of the Constitution, where very important and strict adherence to the Charters of the UN has been paved over the years, President Akufo-Addo has led eminent implementation of policies targeted at the attainment of sustainable development goals.
My Hon Colleague on the other Side of the House, Hon Rashid Pelpuo made a remark on some short comings in our national climate policy. I am glad to announce that we have a formidable national climate change policy. In furtherance to that, we have the national adaptation plan and some very important instruments. I believe that orientation and awareness creation of those important policies would serve a good purpose.
Mr Speaker, I would want to commend the appropriateness of the theme of the UN in the commemoration of this year's anniversary: “Our Planet, Our Future”, and gleaning from this overall theme, the appropriateness and suitability of the
theme that Ghana adopted, which is “Clean Environment for a Healthy Living,Our Collective Responsibility.”
Indeed, it is our collective responsibility. I recall that in the 1960s, at a time when one would have thought that issues of climate change may not be a very significant concern to Ghana, Ghana took part in an important decision at the UN that ensured that there would not be chemical bombing and some other proliferations that had very important impact on climate change in the world.
What affects one country in the world today affects the rest of the world, and it is needless to say that particularly in matters of climate change, it is one that is very obvious.
Mr Speaker, as we have been experiencing extreme and erratic weather changes in the past four decades, it is so sad to recount that even from the 1960 to the year 2003, studies have indicated that average hot days per year have increased to 48 days, which is 13.2 percentage of days.The average hot nights per year has also increased to 73 days, which is 20 per cent of nights, in percentage expression. These are all growing concerns.
So in conclusion, climate change continues to pose very significant threats to the socio-economic
[REV. FORDJOUR] [DR APAAK]
development of Ghana, and it is particularly so because our major economic sectors, which are agricul- ture and manufacturing, all depend largely on the climate. That is where food security, livelihood and draught, bio-diversity, desertification and all the other threats are eminent.
So, I conclude by commending the various member States; the 193 member States that have formidably over the years held the UN together, and the strong contribution of the Republic of Ghana in ensuring that our flagship good will, laurels and respect won at the UN would continue to be sustained.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
