By George Kwame Egeh
ACCRA, GHANA: The 9th Ghana International Model United Nations conference held at the University of Ghana may have come and gone but the memories still linger considering the impact it had on its participants. Accra witnessed again the gathering of young people from the 3rd to 6th of January 2018. Delegates received a warm “akwaaba” meaning welcome as organizers of the event were on ground to ensure they were well tended to as they arrived for the conference.
The theme for this year’s conference was titled “Transformation through Empowerment”. It was organized to bring together global thinking tertiary and high school level students to simulate the General Assembly and other specialized bodies of the United Nations. A total number of four hundred and fifty participants registered and took part in the conference.
The conference which commenced with a cultural night to welcome delegates who travelled from different parts of the sub Saharan African region to participate in the conference were treated to a wonderful cultural performance from Amahmere cultural group with highly rhythmic drumming models.
Different countries such as Kirimbati, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Niger, Serria –Leone, Ethiopia, Liberia and other African countries were in attendance including the host Country Ghana.
Delegates were highly expectant as the cultural night also included cultural displays from the different African countries present; diverse cultural performances were on display to the admiration of delegates present at the event.
The event which lasted for three days was attended by top diplomats and dignitaries from the University community. Also in attendance at the event was the Dean of students Prof. Francis K.E Nunoo chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Philip Gyamfi Executive chairman GIMUN and Mr. Emmanuel T. George President of GIMUN and other executives of the GIMUN team, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Hon. Samuel Nartey George also graced the occasion as the special guest of honor.
Delegates of were cleared on the rules and procedure for the conference; they also had two days plenary and committee sessions to deliberate and find solutions for sustainable development goals.
Secondary schools such as Prempreh College, Adisa College, Kpando Senior High School, Awusco Senior High girls’ school and other senior secondary schools were all present at the conference and were part of all the sessions held.
Delivering a key note address at the conference, the Member of Parliament for Ningo Pram-pram Hon. Samuel Nartey George laid emphasis on the role of the youths in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals; he said it is critical that everyone contributes his quota to ensuring that Sustainable Development Goals are achieved.
He said that everyone can contribute through volunteerism, in his view; volunteerism puts one in a position to get involved to understand challenges, offer positive solutions and build personal leadership skills that can be useful for leadership positions and that can shape destiny.
As a call to action, the Member of Parliament said he is creating opportunities for internship in his office as a way to enable the youth supply ideas and to actively get involved in the implementation of legislations that will help achieve the Sustainable development Goals.
He added that the youth must use social media positively to create awareness for Sustainable Development Goals, to trigger quick effective results and advocate for strong legislations for the Successful implementation of policies that can help achieve Sustainable Development Goals. For him, it is a call for action to shape destiny.
The event was concluded with a closing plenary session which involved the acceptance of resolutions passed by committees formed by the different countries that attended the conference.
Awards were also given in form of certificates to recognize the performance of different participating countries and schools as well as contributions of each of the committees that were formed during the plenary sessions.
Victor Gotevbe is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of Diplomatic Watch. He is the Managing Director of Conduit Communications Limited.
