Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for renewed global commitment to nuclear disarmament.
He has urged nuclear states to end impunity and follow Africa’s example as a continent free of nuclear weapons.
Mr Ablakwa made the call while addressing the audience at the International Day for the Total Elimination of nuclear weapons at the 80th UN General Assembly on September 26.
“On this occasion, therefore, I remind nuclear weapons states of the obligation to pursue disarmament and call upon all of us to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ghana demands an end to impunity. The situation where some nuclear powers determine that they can keep theirs, but others
He announced that Ghana would be depositing its instrument of disarmament before the end of the U.N. General Assembly session.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to note that this is a historic day for Ghana, because today Ghana will be depositing our instrument of ratification. Following the signing of the TPNW in 2017 and the full ratification of our Parliament in July this year,” he declared.
Mr Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to a world without nuclear weapons.
“We in Ghana believe that, that world is not a utopian dream. It is possible to achieve. And I am delighted that I am from a country where our nation’s founder, the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, led the charge against a world that proliferates nuclear weapons.
In 1962, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah convened the World Without a Bomb Conference in Accra, and he championed a continent that would be declared a nuclear-free continent. And I am glad that a continent of Africa, as we speak, the only country that had nuclear weapons, has fully disarmed.
And if Africa can be a continent without nuclear weapons, other continents can follow the example of Africa. So, this is a quest that is attainable, and we all must renew our efforts in this direction,” the Foreign Affairs Minister urged.
