Ghana

Outreach to NY mission ahead of CAAC open debate 2016.

February 2017: Bede had a very warm and friendly meeting with the GVA ambassador, who agreed that this was an “idea that should be supported,” and was glad to hear that all the conflict-affected members of ECOWAS had already joined on, and saw that as a positive sign for Ghana engaging. Had already seen that the issue could be coming up at the next Human Rights Council session. All very positive… but I feel we will need to follow up to make sure something actually happens. Warm follow up email.

July 2018: During the SC Open Debate on children and armed conflict, Ghana joined the statement of Canada on behalf of the GoF which mentioned the Safe Schools Declaration.

January 2019: SafetoLearn campaign on ending violence in schools was launched. The Call to Action includes a call to national governments to endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration and the Guidelines. Ghana signed the Call to Action.

September 2019: GCPEA issued a letter addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, encouraging endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration at the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, held on September 25, 2019, in New York.

May 2020: GCPEA had a call with the Third Secretary at the New York mission to discuss Ghana’s potential endorsement of the Declaration. It was highlighted that endorsement would have a greater symbolic value as the international community would mark the fifth anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration. The Third Secretary appeared very positive and promised to follow-up with the Ministry of Education and request an update on the status of the endorsement process.

Oct 2020: GCPEA followed up with the New York Mission and asked for an update on endorsement of the Declaration. The Third Secretary replied requesting information about the endorsement procedure.

October 2021: cosponsored UNSRC2601.

July 2022: At the UNSC CAAC debate : *used GCPEA’s recommendations
– “Finally, in view of the importance of child education, we strongly condemn the military use of schools as well as all attacks against schools and educational facilities. Member States have a responsibility to establish and strictly enforce laws that criminalize attacks against schools as well as to ensure the continuation, re-establishment and preservation of education during armed conflict, in line with the Safe Schools Declaration. We call for that commitment to be upheld by all and reiterate that all parties to conflict need to respect the civilian character of schools in accordance with international humanitarian law”

September 2022 Transforming Education Summit: Ghana: committed to “ensure inclusive, equitable, safe and healthy school environment”