Signing the Book of Condolence in Memory of Ex-President J.J. Rawlings

Signing the Book of Condolence in Memory of Ex-President J.J. Rawlings

Today, I joined colleague Head of UN Agencies in Ghana, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani to sign the book of condolence in memory of the life and times of His Excellency, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, Former President of the Republic of Ghana, who was instrumental in returning the country to democratic rule in 1992 after a series of successive coup d’etats.

H.E. J.J. Rawlings died at the age of 73 and is survived by his spouse, H.E. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and four (4) children, Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi Rawlings.

Deputy Secretary-General’s visit to Adabraka Polyclinic

Deputy Secretary-General’s visit to Adabraka Polyclinic

As part of her 2-day working visit to Ghana, H.E Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General, paid a courtesy call to the Adabraka Polyclinic in Accra with the SRSG (AU) Hannah Tetteh, SRSG (Sahel/UNOWAS) Mohamed Ibn Chambas and the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani.

During the visit, she interacted with health workers of the Family Planning Unit where she learnt first-hand knowledge of UNFPA’s support in providing family planning commodities to end unmet need for family planning in Ghana.

Meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary-General

Meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary-General

Interacting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed during an official visit with SRSG (AU) Hannah Tetteh and SRSG (Sahel/UNOWAS) Mohamed Ibn Chambas to Ghana.

At a Townhall meeting with all UN agencies in Ghana, I made use of the opportunity to discuss how to support efforts towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially achieving gender equality and ending maternal mortality in Ghana.

Group photograph with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, SRSG (AU) Hannah Tetteh, SRSG (Sahel/UNOWAS) Mohamed Ibn Chambas, R.C of UN in Ghana , Mr. Charles Abani, and Heads of UN Agencies in Ghana.
UNFPA country director calls on chiefs, celebrities to champion the fight against all forms of violence against females

UNFPA country director calls on chiefs, celebrities to champion the fight against all forms of violence against females

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Niyi Ojuolape has implored traditional rulers, government, celebrities and religious leaders to champion the fight against all forms of violence against women and girls in the country.

According to Niyi Ojuolape, all stakeholders in influential positions should come on board to reduce all forms of violence against women in attainment of the Sustaining Development Goal 5 by 2030.

He said adolescents played a crucial role in the development of a country hence the need for stakeholders to advance their well-being to conform to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda.

Mr Ojuolape was speaking to Adom News at the opening of the 2020 Partners’ Learning Forum (PALEF) on under the theme: “the Unfinished Business: Utilizing Shared Knowledge and Practices for Advancing ICDP in Ghana”.

“Everybody needs to come on board, my advice to all and sundry is that the work of reducing preventable maternal mortality of bringing to zero and eradicating the incident of gender-based violence harmful practices, it not that of the partners alone, everybody needs to come on board” Mr Ojuolape stated.

“Everybody needs to come on board, it is not that of UNFPA, the partners, government alone, it is the responsibility of everybody and in particular every leader at every level that’s why we reach out to traditional leader, faith based leaders, community leaders and all gatekeepers who have influence, so even our celebrities, pastors and imams needs to come on board, so my message is that please let us all join hands to ensure that the adolescent girl child of Ghana is able to achieve her full potential” UNFPA Country Representative stressed.

The forum seeks to facilitate a fertile ground for the exchange of ideas that may further improve policy, programme development and implementation.

Mr Ojuolape indicated that the forum was held annually to showcase the mandate of the UNFPA and how they executed their programmes through a constellation of partners at the national, regional and district levels within the government decentralized political and developmental implementation systems.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old, Agnes Obetsebi, a beneficiary of UNFPA and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) training expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for the impact they had made in her life.

The 19-year-old entrepreneur said through the UNFPA training programme, she was now independent and had also trained others. She is saving towards her tertiary education.

Representatives from the Canadian High Commission, Ministry of Finance, civil society organizations, stakeholders, beneficiaries among others, attended the programme.

Source: myjoyonline.com

International Community urged to support Ghana’s 1000 Wheelchair Campaign

International Community urged to support Ghana’s 1000 Wheelchair Campaign

The Ghanaian and international community have been called upon to make it a priority to support the 1000 Wheelchairs and Walking Aids campaign launched by the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation (HDMF).

“I am making this campaign a call to action to give us all, the Ghanaian and international community, the opportunity to make a difference and change our attitudes towards the physically challenged,” Rev Father Andrew Campbell, chairman, Lepers Aid Ghana said.

Father Campbell, who is also the Parish Priest of Christ the King Church, Cantonments, Accra, was speaking during the campaign launch to raise, at least, 1000 wheelchairs and walking aids, for PWDs in each of Ghana’s 16 administrative regions.

He said the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation has started the ball rolling by demonstrating through the campaign initiative, which required the collective determination and commitment to make change happen for the physically challenged.

In a statement read on his behalf, Mr Edward Adeniyi Ojualape, UNFPA Country Representative to Ghana, said the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already gains it was refreshing Ghana’s disability inclusive efforts have gained significant momentum in recent years.

Through advocacy efforts of partners, the country is beginning to seek a paradigm shift towards meeting the needs of all to ensure inclusiveness in development.

“Today, the misconception, the discrimination about PWDs have not been fully eliminated but have been reduced through advocacy efforts of partners,” he said.

The HDMF is a gender/disability based organization working towards a socio-economic transformation and empowerment of PWDs, vulnerable groups, women, and children.

The HDMF with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the “1000 Wheelchairs and Walking Aids – fit for life” campaign to mobilise, at least, 16,000 wheelchairs and walking aids for users.

Source: GhanaWeb

Let’s advance the well-being of adolescent girls – UNFPA

Let’s advance the well-being of adolescent girls – UNFPA

Niyi Ojuolape, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, has called for concrete and innovative ideas to advance the well-being of adolescent girls in Ghana.

He said adolescents played a crucial role in the development of a country hence the need for stakeholders to advance their well-being to conform to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda.

Mr Ojuolape made the call at the opening of the 2020 Partners’ Learning Forum (PALEF) on Monday in Accra on the theme: “the Unfinished Business: Utilizing Shared Knowledge and Practices for Advancing ICDP in Ghana”.

The ICPD agenda is a revolutionary Programme of Action adopted in 1994 by 179 countries in Cairo, which called for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts.

He said the work of reducing preventable maternal mortality, bringing to zero the unmet need of family planning, eradicating the incidence of gender based violence and harmful practices was not that of the UNFPA and the government alone, but the responsibility of everyone.

The Country Representative called on government, celebrities, religious and traditional leaders to come on board to ensure the adolescent girl achieves her full potentials.

The Forum, seeks to facilitate a fertile ground for exchange of ideas that may further improve policy, programme development and implementation.

Mr Ojuolape indicated that the forum was held annually to showcase the mandate of the UNFPA and how they executed their programmes through a constellation of partners at the national, regional and district levels within the government decentralized political and developmental implementation systems.

This pioneering initiative has been based on UNFPA’s firm conviction in efforts to increase the reach and impact of programme interventions for those most in need at the sub-national levels and to foster upstream leadership and ownership of Ghana’s development agenda.

He said the theme for the forum clearly showed the need for and importance of shared learning and horizontal collaboration between UNFPA’s implementing partners as well as relevant stakeholders in advancing the ICPD agenda.

“We will also discuss future UNFPA programming strategies in line with the post Nairobi conclusions,” he stated.

The Country Representative indicated that the UNFPA would continue to position the issue of young people, particularly adolescent girls as a critical parameter for harnessing the demographic dividend in Ghana.
Mr Ojuolape said through funding support from the Canadian Government, the UNFPA was implementing a joint programme with UNICEF geared towards systemically empowering the girls to make informed choices on issues affecting them.

This would allow adolescents exercise their urgency on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) issues on gender equality, and access quality, gender-responsive sexual and reproductive health services among other programmes to end child marriage.

Miss Agnes Obetsebi, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the UNFPA and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) for the impact they had made in her life.

The 19 year old entrepreneur said through the UNFPA training programme, she was now independent and had also trained others. She is saving towards her tertiary education.

Ms Obetsebi urged other adolescent girls to take advantage of such trainings to enable them acquire skills to earn a decent living.

The Canadian High Commissioner, a representative from the Ministry of Finance, civil society organizations, stakeholders, beneficiaries among others, attended the programme.

Source:GhanaWeb.com

Engaging partners to accelerate ICPD progress in Ghana

Engaging partners to accelerate ICPD progress in Ghana

UNFPA continues to position the issue of young people, particularly adolescent girls as a critical parameter for harnessing the demographic dividend in Ghana”- Niyi Ojuolape.

The 2020 Partners Learning Forum (PaLeF) brought together diverse partners, donors, policy makers and stakeholders under the theme: The Unfinished Business: Utilizing Shared Knowledge and Practices for Advancing ICPD in Ghana.

PaLeF aims at fostering shared learning and horizontal collaboration between partners and relevant stakeholders by stimulating innovation and critical thinking to advance the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Ghana. 

One key highlight was the mounting of an exhibition, which showcased the impactful work and varied achievements by UNFPA Ghana’s Implementing Partners.

Delivering a speech at the Partners’ Learning Forum held to advance ICPD in Ghana
Official opening of the 2020 Partners’ Learning Forum
Supporting GSS for Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census

Supporting GSS for Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census

Supporting GSS for Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census

The Census provides important data needed to support the implementation of the national development programmes and the SDGs. Therefore, the Census is a priority to national development programme which requires strategic partnerships to conduct successfully.

As such, I joined a meeting organised by the Ghana Statistical Service and Development Partners in preparation for Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census.

For Ghana 2021 PHC, UNFPA is working closely with GSS to ensure that the Census is conducted in accordance with the UN Principles and recommendations for 2020 Census Round by providing support in various areas including development of the census document, procurement support, capacity building through targeted trainings, and the recruitment of a resident Chief Technical Advisor (CTA).

In the midst of the pandemic, we will Leave No One Behind! Because Everyone Counts!!!

Mr. Niyi Ojuolape addressing Development Partners at the Meeting on the 2021 Ghana Population & Housing Census    

Mr. Niyi Ojuolape interacting with his colleague diplomat Ms. Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, Country Director for UNOPS.

“Nothing for young people, without young people”

“Nothing for young people, without young people”

“Nothing for young people, without young people”

Promoting youth leadership and resilience particularly during this challenging period is a key priority to the United Nations, and second, youth involvement, engagement and empowerment, a cause dear to my heart.

Speaking at the 3rd African Youth SDGs Summit, under the theme, “Securing the 2030 Agenda commitment beyond Post COVID Era”, I stated the critical role of young people to promote development and the need to nurture their skills as a country to realize their full potentials.

Indeed, “Nothing for young people, without young people”

I equally took time to interact with some colleagues after the brief ceremony which took place successfully.
 

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The Opening of the Rwandan High Commission in Ghana.

The Opening of the Rwandan High Commission in Ghana.

In attendance at the Opening of the High Commission of Rwanda in Ghana

Today, on Tuesday, 3 November 2020, I joined members of the diplomatic community, Government officials, members of the Press Corps and other invited guests to the official opening of the Rwandan High Commission to Ghana.
The short ceremony took place at No. 62 Osu Badu Crescent, West Airport in Accra. The event was graced by the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs in Ghana, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchway.
 
I took time to interact with some colleagues after the brief ceremony which took place successfully.
 

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