The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Ghana, has marked its 75th anniversary in a ceremony held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, to reflect on progress made over the years and celebrate achievements and results delivered for children of Ghana with its partners.
The celebration also highlighted key activities in promoting children’s rights and ensuring an equal chance for disadvantaged children.
Dubbed ‘UNICEF75’, the event opened with a short film of the organisation’s history, especially its contribution toward child protection. The grand short film also featured some global ambassadors, who expressed sincere gratitude to the team and stakeholders for partnering ‘for every child’.
The event was also celebrated with the premiere of ‘If You Have’ – the film put together to showcase activities and campaigns UNICEF has been involved with since its establishment in 1946 with just 10 staff.
Present to grace the occasion as Guest Speaker was Ghana’s Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, who reiterated government’s commitment to building a resilient system for children.
She congratulated UNICEF for their global achievements over the past 75 years, and their commitment to transforming the lives of children across the country. She said through the help of UNICEF and the UN system, the COVAX vaccine was made available to Ghana – and quickly admonished everyone present to take the jab to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
According to her, COVID-19 has devastated families and communities around the world. “We have been able to rapidly respond to the pandemic through the provision of hand washing stations, enforcing wearing of nose masks, through testing and vaccination. We will do our best to ensure that budget investments in children are prioritised.”
She noted that in the last 40 years, government has jointly made enormous advancement in the sphere of rights of children and women in Ghana. “The government of Ghana helps UNICEF and strategic partners in improving child’s rights. We look forward to our continuous collaboration to build on previous successes.”
Madam Opare said UNICEF has enabled the enforcement of critical policies and initiatives with strong partnerships with governments and agencies. “As the first country to ratify the Convention of the Rights of the Child, Ghana will soon ratify the CRC Optional Protocol on the sale of children and child prostitution,” she announced.
She also revealed that Ghana is ahead of West and Central Africa in criminalising online abuse through the cyber security agency with the help and support of UNICEF. She, therefore, expressed enormous appreciation to UNICEF for the continuous expertise, partnership and corporation in their various areas of operation.
Also present at the event was Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, who remarked that government has a strong resolve to build a nation that ensures its children are cared for and supported. In respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, he stated that children must be first in line for investment and budget allocation.
“We will continue holding to our promises through ratification of the CRC, and ensure that we will not leave any child behind,” he said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta assured that government will continue delivering results to children which create a lasting impact for decades to come.
