Position paper for Ghana
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures |
| Paper text: | |
| Ghana has long been a staunch advocate for all forms of disarmament,
including backing UN measures to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons with
the goal of full nuclear disarmament 1. Ghana sadly recognizes, however,
that ambitious disarmament measures may not be realistic given the
interests of larger powers. We also recognize the danger of new weapons
such as drones, which are easy to produce and deploy and have
(unfortunately) proven their effectiveness on the battlefield. We would like to
encourage states to take measures to oversee and reduce the production
and use of such weapons, but again we do not anticipate meaningful
progress at this time.
It is, to be honest, easy to be discouraged on this issue, and also easy to succumb to arguments that blame larger powers for selling weapons that help fuel conflicts world-wide. Ghana, however, would like to continue to work with like-minded countries on disarmament issues and like to focus on some practical measures that could produce some positive effects. Ghana has helped spearhead the SALIENT project with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme to combat armed violence and small arms trafficking 2. In particular, we are focusing on traffic in small arms and working on enhanced border security (including use of metal detectors), cooperation through use of cross-border offices with neighboring states, training of personnel, and improvements in surveillance 3. These efforts align with the Arms Trade Treaty and not only prevent the entry of illicit arms but also contribute to a broader regional stability. We believe that better training, equipment, and bilateral and regional cooperation can help reduce the spread of weapons. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction |
| Paper text: | |
| As our delegation has stressed repeatedly at prior UN meetings,
Ghana wholeheartedly
supports the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention and we have lent our
unconditional
support to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) and all other
international bodies dedicated to removing this grotesque form of warfare 1.
We are aware
that not all states have abided by this convention, and we express our
support for use of the
challenge inspection in the convention in order to ensure compliance and
that the results of
all such inspections by reported to both the UNSC and First Committee. We
call on all states
who have not yet acceded to the Convention to do so. We also support
efforts to boost the
technical capacity and professionalization of the OPCW.
Ghana has implemented a number of measures to ensure the international community that we are chemical weapons-free. We would encourage the UN to press member states to pass relevant legislation and create the necessary agencies to ensure that they remain in compliance with the convention. In particular, we would like to work toward greater regulatory controls and reporting on the production and trade of chemicals that can be used for such weapons. We are also highly aware and concerned about non-state actors acquiring such weapons and seek international consensus that denying such weapons to these actors become a priority. We would also like to see measures within states militaries to affirm and advance norms against chemical weapons development and use. We are also open to measures that would involve private corporations more closely to the Convention so the international community can be assured that such weapons are not being produced anywhere in the world. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Agriculture development, food security and nutrition |
| Paper text: | |
| Food insecurity is one of the most threatening and debilitating issues faced in countries
around the world. The inability to provide oneself with both adequate food resources as well
as proper nutrition as a means of facing starvation and famine is a constant struggle faced by
nations of all demographics, and all regions, but is especially prominent within the Global
South. By eliminating malnutrition and food security through agricultural investment within
struggling nations, the UN will allow these nations to lift themselves out of the economic and
social inabilities these plagues enable.
Like many other nations within the Global South, Ghana is a victim of food insecurity and malnutrition with over 2 million citizens defined as food insecure 1 . Ghana's situation has worsened in recent years, with over 12.9 million people affected by a food crisis in 2022, creating a 47% increase from the previous year 2 . Despite this, Ghana has worked tirelessly domestically and abroad to help alleviate this blight within our population, working with organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP), World Vision Ghana, the UN, the Feed the Future Initiative, and multiple countries on an individual basis, such as the United States, for investment opportunities. While facing these challenges, Ghana has managed to make some progress through its efforts, targeting agriculture and poverty goals through actions such as restoring degraded agricultural lands, spreading credit access, and establishing new good processing facilities 3. Ghana stands firmly with the Sustainable Development Goal 2 outline and hopes to work diligently with its fellow member states to wipe out the disease of malnutrition and food insecurity that plagues our nations, communities, and families. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Development cooperation with middle-income countries |
| Paper text: | |
| The recent shift of the majority of countries into the middle income category has been one
that Ghana has observed with great happiness for its fellow nations. While remaining a lower
income country itself, Ghana is sympathetic to the issues faced in middle income countries
(MICs), it is important to note that although over 70% of the world's population resides in one
of these nations, many do not (1) . Ghana is one of those nations and people still struggle to
lift themselves out of poverty , and notes with great concern that we are not alone in this
struggle. Ghana is a wholehearted supporter in national development, and looks towards
utilizing the chance to work with middle and higher income countries as a means to help both
uplift and secure the nations of the world financially and developmentally based on each
nations unique needs and challenges.
Ghana readily recognizes the vulnerability of MICs to the threats of economic recessions, inequality, natural disaster and government corruption which can undo the work accomplished by those who have put their efforts to move their country in the right direction. However in doing so Ghana also wishes to remind the body that these issues are not only more prevalent in lower income countries, but also do more damage due to the limited resources available to these countries to respond. It is Ghana's belief that the most progressive and valuable use of the international community's efforts would be directed towards ensuring MICs are able to remain developmentally stable while simultaneously working towards raising the remaining countries below the middle income line up, so that all nations can enjoy a new degree of development, prosperity and stability. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Rights of indigenous peoples |
| Paper text: | |
| Ghana has 90 different ethnicities/tribes, grouped into six larger groups. Ghana supported
the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and values the
contributions of its indigenous peoples to its social, cultural, and economic life. We recognize
that many of these communities face challenges.
In efforts to improve this, we are open to various ideas that will expand and strengthen the ideals supported in the UNDRIP. We believe that a larger discussion of defining what indigenous means is needed to reflect the dynamic realities faced by various groups across regions, considering their unique social, environmental, and economic contexts. We support measures to uphold and expand political inclusion of indigenous groups, combined with efforts to expand sovereignty over their internal affairs. We are particularly alarmed by the significant environmental degradation caused by climate change affecting Indigenous communities, which threatens their livelihoods, cultures, and survival. In line with Article 19 of the UNDRIP, we endorse national efforts to promote the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of indigenous peoples over matters that directly affect them, including protection of their language, traditional lands and environmental integrity, and cultural life. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Literacy for life |
| Paper text: | |
| The term literacy commonly refers to the ability to read, write, and comprehend
information effectively. However, we would like to redefine this term in order to make it
applicable for our real issue being Literary for Life." The redefinition that we would like to
bring attention to encompasses broader skills, including critical thinking, digital literacy and
the capacity to engage with various forms of communication in everyday/professional
contexts. The idea and program that is Literacy for Life emphasizes the importance of these
skills for not only academic success as it implies with the simple definition of literacy, but also
for navigating personal, professional and social contexts throughout one's life.
It's Ghana's belief that there hasn't been enough investment in this program due to how the term literacy is defined. Many member states don't see the value of investing in areas where there is already high literacy, and we should realize that basic literacy is not enough for success and social mobility in today's world. How it is defined obfuscates the types of literacy needed for citizens to participate in the modern economy. Ghana seeks to promote investment in all aspects of this program, with a focus on accessibility for minority languages and ensuring and expanding womens access to education. Accessibility should also extend to peripheral regions (such as rural or hard to access regions) to ensure the program's inclusivity. In the promotion and support of this program, Ghana along with any other members who participate look forward to gradual improvement in expanding literacy in a broader and more inclusive sense. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment |
| Paper text: | |
| The United Nations in an unprecedented move declared that it is indeed a human right to have access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in A/76/L.75 (2022). This establishes that it is fundamental to the human experience to live in a clean space devoid of toxins, drink water that is free of contaminants, and breathe air that is free of pollutants.
The nation of Ghana and its citizens believe firmly in this declaration. Within the very fabric that binds this country and guides its every decision is this belief in the right to live a fulfilling life. Article 36 (9) of Ghanas constitution acknowledges how fundamental living in a clean environment is, and how pertinent preserving the environment is for the future prosperity of this nation. However, a growing threat lies within the nation of Ghana. Outside influence from foreign-owned corporations systematically damage the environment of Ghana. These corporations refuse to adhere to the laws of the nations with which they engage. These companies exploit and extract natural resources while providing little in return. They pollute water, contaminate air, and burn forests. It is integral to the National Sovereignty of Ghana to hold these corporations accountable for the betterment of every citizen of Ghana. The nation of Ghana seeks to pass a resolution that will make foreign industry adhere to the laws in the nation in which they operate, and legislation that will encourage investment into local communities that these corporations operate in. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel |
| Paper text: | |
| UN personnel comprise the backbone of the UNs ability to enact positive change abroad. No nation recognizes this fact more than Ghana. Ghana disproportionately contributes towards UN peacekeeping efforts by supplying substantial numbers of UN personnel. Ghana therefore knows all too well the hardship that peacekeeping personnel face. Peacekeeping personnel in particular face challenges in restriction of their freedom of movement, poor funding, and inadequate training.
Ghana recognizes two issues to be of utmost importance One is that the leading cause of malicious death among UN peacekeeping personnel is IEDs. A second concern is the restriction of movement that does not allow for the emergency evacuation and care of critically wounded individuals in countries that prohibit night travel or flight. The UN has in the past attempted to solve these issues by implementing resolutions such as S/RES/2447 (2018). Although this resolution recognizes the problems that peacekeepers face, it struggles to address the cause of these issues head-on. Ghana seeks to solve these issues by passing a resolution that would accomplish the following: bolstering the United Nations Mine Actions Service's ability to train personnel, supply high-quality equipment and protective gear, and deploy experts more frequently to UN peacekeeping missions to address IED-related deaths; altering the UNs standard of conduct for peacekeeping personnel to allow medical evacuations to preserve life no matter the circumstance; a creating a research committee tasked with researching how effective these newly implemented strategies are at addressing the core issues. This committee would present their findings to the Secretary General and the results should be published annually. | |
| Committee: | CCPCJ |
| Topic: | Equal access to justice for all |
| Paper text: | |
| An estimated two-thirds of the global population does not have
access to equal justice
1. According to the World's Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, Ghana
ranks 58 out of 140
2, which means that the set of principles that ensure a just and orderly
society by holding
everyone accountable to the law in the country has a long way to go in
terms of providing
its people with equal access to justice.
However, that is not to say that Ghana has not already come a long way. In developing its approach to a more equitable judicial system, Ghana started the Legal Aid Commission (LAC), which allows for vulnerable individuals to apply for free legal help 3. In addition, there has been much progress in limiting the discrimination that women face, such as with Article 17 enshrining the equality of women in their constitution 4. However, Ghana still has shortcomings with respect to impoverished/peripheral areas, women, and the LGBTQ community which has impacted the ability to access legal help. The Kyoto Special Conference (2021) attempted to face this issue, and developed some substantial framework for why and how these inequalities were occurring. These included poverty, inadequate legislation, lack of knowledge of services and/or limitation to access of knowledge, insufficient number of qualified officials, discrimination, and structural barriers. However, what this did not include was substantial solutions on how to solve the inequalities. Accessibility is not only an issue of reaching a resource that should be available to all. It reflects a systematic restriction of access to certain people based on their gender, age, racial, social-economic class, sexuality, education level, religion, ethnic, or political affiliate | |
| Committee: | CCPCJ |
| Topic: | International cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and corruption |
| Paper text: | |
| When compared to its African neighbors, Ghana is amongst the least corrupt
governments, with a corruption index score of 41 out of 100 (1) . Additionally, Ghana ranks
60 out of 193 countries in the global criminality score (2). This is not to say that it is
anywhere near where it can be with international cooperation against transnational
organized crime and corruption. Ghana still has a large issue with bribery and cross
border human trafficking.
In terms of what the UN has accomplished to prevent international crime and corruption, the UN Convention Against Corruption and UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, have provided explicit frameworks to deal with the effects of international crimes, such as human trafficking and the illicit firearms market. However, once again there has not been any major preventative measures. Transnational organized crime must be tackled from its root, meaning it should be prevented from financing illegal activities to strengthen law enforcement to prevent crime from happening at its target country. Practically, this would entail developing personalized policies for countries that need each type of crime and corruption prevention, specifically in developing technologies to track illegal financial transactions and strengthening the efficacy of law enforcement where the crime is to occur. Additionally, because communication is so limited between police districts in areas where the internet is less prevalent, information is consistently delayed/lost. Back end encryption and an increase in funds to develop strong and more secure communication lines should be a priority for this body. Concerning Human Trafficking, a top priority for Ghana, further monitoring procedures of borders need to be put into place to be able to identify and target vehicles which transport the trafficking victims. Furthermore, the issue with where criminals are prosecuted should be evaluated and tackled internationally to ensure that nations face an equal share of the judicial burden. | |
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