President Akufo-Addo urges new UN Secretary-General to lead UN reforms

President Akufo-Addo, has called on the new UN Secretary-General  António Guterres, to effect reforms at the UN, so as to promote and deepen international co-operation. 

According to the President, reform of the Security Council has remained the most debated topic at the UN since 1993, it is therefore important that António Guterres, ensure its implementation.
 
The President was speaking at a breakfast meeting between African Heads of State and the new Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in Addis Ababa, ahead of the opening of the Ordinary Session of the 28th Assembly of the African Union.
 
President Akufo-Addo, urged the new UN Secretary-General to ensure the realization of the Ezulwuni Consensus, a position on international relations and reform of the UN agreed by the African Union in 2005. 

The President recounted how as Ghana’s Foreign Minister and Chairman of the AU Ministerial conclave in Swaziland in 2005, he together with his colleague AU Foreign Ministers drafted the Ezulwuni consensus,which called for a more representative and democratic Security Council.

President Akufo-Addo, was not happy that little progress has been made since the drawing up of the Consensus in Swaziland.

President Akufo-Addo, also expressed concern about the growing rift between some AU Member States and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
 
He called for a closer engagement between the AU and the UN in the spirit of mutual respect and trust, and reiterated Ghana’s continued support and confidence in the ICC.

GBC