63rd United Nations Day Marked

THE 63rd United Nations Day has been marked with a flagraising ceremony at the forecourt of the State House in Accra yesterday.

The day which marks the birth of the world body was commemorated in Ghana under the theme: 'Uniting in the common struggle to eradicate hunger and poverty while preserving our environment for the present and future generations.'

Speaking at the function, Dauda Toure, U.N. Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said climate change has been identified as one of the stumbling blocks which would impede the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing countries.

He said this environmental problem threatens the chances of millions to escape poverty because of its correlation in creating water scarcity, decline in food production, increase in storms and floods and the migration of people.

Mr Toure said climate change exacerbates at already existing inequalities that in turn can result in an increase in conflict and contributes to threats to global stability and security.

He said Ghana is already experiencing the effect of the drought in the Northern Region which was accompanied by crop failures and drying up of streams.

“This is a clear demonstration of the fact that temperatures and rainfall patterns have changed and how erratic the climate has become in this country as a result of human abuse of nature” he said.

Mr Toure said the combined impact of the drought and the floods make the  population of the northern region vulnerable” and their chances of making progress towards the MDG's thinner”.

He said the U.N. Country Team is collaborating with government and other development partners to address restoration of livelihood activities of the affected population with the Northern Ghana.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, said as a developing country, Ghana fully embraces the objectives of the MDGs that seek to harness the wealth of knowledge and expertise of the U.N. to achieve economic and social advancement.

“It is in this regard that, the government continues to pursue good governance and socio-economic stability to ensure sustainable development of the country,” she said.

She said Ghana believes that with the dedication and support of the World's nations, “the U.N. can successfully make the world a better place as well as support its developing members to achieve the MDGs.