Third Committee, 13th plenary meeting – General Assembly, 79th session
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Edna Stephanie Williams
1st Secretary/ Social Cultural
and Humanitarian Affairs
October 14, 2024
DURING THE THIRD COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE 79TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AGENDA ITEM 67: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
I thank you for giving me the floor, Mr. Chair.
We also thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive reports on this agenda item and the recommendations contained in them. Ghana aligns with the statement delivered by the African Group and wishes to make these remarks in our national capacity.
Mr. Chair,
While it might be difficult for many here to do so, I invite my colleagues to imagine a world where a child’s dreams are cut short, not by lack of potential, but by lack of opportunity. A future lost to silent classrooms and children growing up without protection. This is the reality facing millions today, a reality we cannot ignore. The world we build now defines their future, yet many children’s rights remain unfulfilled, and their dreams and potential unrealized. In the face of crises like conflicts and climate change, we must act boldly and decisively.
Mr. Chair,
Education is the great equalizer, and Ghana believes that providing quality education is the most powerful investment we can make for our children. This is why we have expanded access to free primary and secondary education, so that the most vulnerable have a chance to learn. Education is not a privilege; it is a right that every child, everywhere, must enjoy. We therefore call on all Member States to prioritize investment in education infrastructure, including digital infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas, to bridge the divide and ensure that no child is left behind in this digital age.
Ghana is focusing on foundational learning, digital education, and girls’ education. The establishment of STEM Schools across the country exemplifies our commitment to advancing STEM education and closing the gender gap by encouraging more girls to pursue these fields. Furthermore, our Digital Education Strategy enhances digital literacy through teacher training and improved infrastructure, ensuring that education adapts to a changing technological landscape. Ghana has also prioritized rural education, recognizing that targeted investments are crucial for equitable access to quality learning.
However, Mr. Chair, education without protection is incomplete. Millions of children still face violence, exploitation, and abuse, often in places where they should feel safest. Ghana urges Member States to adopt survivor-centered approaches that provide both legal remedies and holistic psychosocial support for affected children and strengthen crossborder cooperation to combat trafficking.
Social protection systems are crucial for safeguarding children, particularly those affected by poverty, displacement, and disabilities. Investments in child-focused programs must be
preserved, especially in response to climate change and conflict.
Mr. Chair,
Ending child marriage remains a key priority for Ghana. We are pursuing a communitydriven approach to ending child marriage in partnership with traditional leaders and civil society and making strides in changing harmful social norms and supporting young girls. As we address the critical issue of children affected by armed conflict, Ghana is deeply concerned about the increasing number of children displaced and suffering due to violence. We call on all conflicting parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure that children are protected from recruitment, abuse, and displacement. We must scale up international support for reintegration programmes that help children recover and rebuild their lives after experiencing the traumas of conflict.
Mr. Chair,
While global efforts are essential, regional cooperation is equally crucial. Frameworks like the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Agenda 2063, and AfCFTA are key to advancing children’s rights and youth opportunities. Member States should strengthen regional strategies to complement global efforts and address children’s unique needs in various contexts.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, Ghana remains steadfast in upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and advancing the child-focused targets of the SDGs, particularly SDGs 4 and 16. The time to act is now. Let us work together to create a world where every child can dream, learn, and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment.
I thank you.