Third Committee, 14th plenary meeting United Nations General Assembly, 81st session

Mrs. Freda Bediako-Puni
Minister/Plenipotentiary
Conference Room 1
United Nations HQ, New York
12th October 2026

Debate on Agenda Item 65 on The “Report of the Human Rights Council” to be Delivered during the Third Committee Plenary Meeting.

Mr. Chair,

Ghana aligns itself with the statement of the African Group. We now speak in our national capacity.

The establishment of the Human Rights Council gave institutional expression to a founding promise of the United Nations: to promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Delivering on that promise remains our shared responsibility.

Having served three previous terms on the Council, Ghana brings experience and resolve to its current membership. Our engagement is anchored in dialogue, cooperation and principled action. We welcome the Council’s report and its consideration of thematic and country-specific human rights concerns. Its work must translate shared commitments into concrete protection for all. Ghana stands ready to advance this purpose with all Member States.

Mr. Chair,

Ghana’s commitment is reflected in action. We have participated in all four cycles of the Universal Periodic Review and were among the first African countries to join the African Peer Review Mechanism. We continue to advance human rights through legislative reforms towards the abolition of the death penalty, the Justice for All Programme, and the strengthening of the Legal Aid Commission and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice. Our objective is clear: to make rights meaningful and justice accessible to all.

Ghana underscore that the Council’s credibility rests on universality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicisation. These principles must guide consistent and fair scrutiny of human rights concerns. Peace and security, development and human rights are mutually reinforcing; progress in one depends on progress in the others.

Mr. Chair,

Ghana remains firmly committed to the Council’s mandate and seeks re-election to build on its contribution. We count on the support of Member States to continue advancing a Council that bridges differences, strengthens accountability and delivers tangible improvements in people’s lives.

I thank you.