Third Committee Meeting of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Dr. Ernest Nana Adjei
Minister Plenipotentiary
Tuesday, 6th October 2026 (AM)
Conference Room 1
United Nations New York

THIRD COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE 81^ST SESSION OF THE  UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. Chair,
Ghana welcomes the Secretary-General’s reports and recommendations on this agenda item.
Our shared commitment is clear: eradicate poverty, promote sustained and productive employment, and build inclusive societies. Our task is to turn these commitments into better lives and greater opportunities. Ghana, therefore, highlights four priorities.

First, social protection must reach people at every stage of life and respond swiftly to crises. Ghana is working to implement the Social Protection Act, 2025, alongside its National Shock-Responsive Social Protection Strategy, supported by integrated services and improved household data.
Second, social protection must open pathways to decent work. Ghana’s National Apprenticeship and Adwumawura programmes support vocational training and youth entrepreneurship, while One Million Coders builds digital skills. These investments must connect young people to jobs, finance and markets.

Third, literacy and lifelong learning must equip people to seize these opportunities. Ghana’s Complementary Education Agency combines literacy with occupational skills. Sustained investment in educators, adult learning and accessible digital education is essential.
Fourth, older persons and persons with disabilities must have an equal voice and opportunity in development. Ghana is reviewing its National Ageing Policy and has increased the disability allocation within the District Assemblies Common Fund from three to five per cent. These measures must deliver income security, healthcare, care services and accessibility, with those concerned helping to shape decisions.

Mr. Chair,
Delivering these priorities requires financing and partnerships that strengthen national ownership. The Accra Reset initiative now Global Dialogue initiative championed by the President of Ghana, calls for stronger institutions, sustainable financing and equitable development cooperation, beginning with health. Ghana urges predictable development assistance, affordable long-term finance and effective action on debt vulnerabilities, matched by domestic resource mobilisation and accountable spending.
Ghana stands ready to work with all Member States to deliver these results with intentional focus that will inure to the benefit of the people we serve.

I thank you.