Ghana to Host National Civil Society Conference Marking UN’s 80th Anniversary and Human Rights Day

Ghana will on Wednesday, December 10 2025, host a landmark National Civil Society Conference to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) and this year’s UN Human Rights Day, an event expected to gather hundreds of civil society actors, government representatives, diplomats, youth groups and human rights advocates at the UPSA Auditorium adjacent UMB Bank, East Legon, Accra.

Organized by the Coalition of NGOs Associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) Ghana, the conference—held under the theme “Upholding Human Rights and Multilateralism: Civil Society at the Core of UN@80”—aims to reaffirm Ghana’s longstanding commitment to the principles of the UN and to highlight the central role civil society continues to play in defending human rights and strengthening multilateral cooperation.

The observance coincides with two global milestones: the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations after World War II, and the annual UN Human Rights Day, which marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

Civil Society at the Centre of Global Human Rights Advocacy

Opening the conference, Mrs. Theophiline Bannerman, Convener of the Coalition, is expected to welcome participants and outline the purpose of the national dialogue, noting the urgent need to uphold human rights and the UN Charter in the face of rising global instability, inequality, and threats to international cooperation.

Speakers at the event include prominent national advocates and leaders in human rights, gender justice, youth engagement and media development.

Nana Yaa Serwaah Sarpong, General Manager of the EIB Network, will lead discussions on Civil Society and the Future of Multilateralism, exploring the evolving role of non-state actors in shaping global governance and strengthening democratic accountability.

Renowned human rights activist and journalist Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), will address the critical theme of Youth Engagement in Advancing Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Wemakor, also the Convener of the Youth Sub-platform of the Ghana Civil Society Platform on SDGs who received a formal invitation from the Coalition to serve as a resource person, is expected to emphasize youth empowerment, civic participation and the need for stronger youth-driven initiatives in human rights advocacy.

The conference will also feature Dr. Dwamena Aboagye, Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, who will speak on Gender Justice and the Role of Women in Human Rights Advocacy, highlighting the persistent gender gaps in rights protection and the need for inclusive policies.

Special Guest of Honour to Open UN@80 Commemoration

The official opening of the UN@80/Human Rights Day celebration will be performed by Rev. Canon Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Chief Patron of the International Youth Network for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (IYNUNSCR).

His presence underscores the importance of youth, peace and security in the global human rights agenda.

Ghana’s Legacy in the UN Spotlight

Organizers say the conference will examine Ghana’s leadership in peacekeeping, diplomacy, rule of law and human rights advocacy—areas in which the country has earned international recognition for decades.

The thematic discussions will focus on:

80 years of the UN: Ghana’s legacy and leadership in peace and rights

Civil society and the future of multilateralism

Gender justice and women’s leadership in human rights

Youth engagement in advancing human rights and the SDGs

Expected Outcomes

The conference aims to:

Deepen public understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its relevance today

Strengthen collaboration between Ghanaian NGOs and the UN system

Promote youth and marginalized groups’ participation in civic and UN processes

Generate national media coverage to amplify human rights awareness

Participants and Stakeholders

Participants will include member NGOs of the Coalition, UN agencies, government ministries such as Justice and Gender, CHRAJ, international development partners, media professionals, student unions, youth groups and community-based organizations. The event will also be livestreamed for the general public.

As the world reflects on eight decades of the UN’s work, the conference seeks to inspire renewed commitment across Ghana’s civil society landscape to defend human rights and strengthen multilateral cooperation in an increasingly complex global environment.