Excerpt
he Ghana National Commission for UNESCO (Ghana Natcom) serves as the official liaison between the Government of Ghana and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Established in 1953 as a Committee for UNESCO Affairs, it was reconstituted on April 11, 1958, following Ghana’s attainment of full UNESCO membership, adopting its current title.
Mandate and Constitutional Role
Operating under the Ministry of Education, Ghana Natcom’s mandate encompasses:
- Acting as a liaison among Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and UNESCO to advance education, sciences, culture, and communication in Ghana.
- Promoting mutual understanding of UNESCO’s work for the common welfare of humanity.
- Coordinating and implementing UNESCO-related projects within Ghana.
Organizational Structure
The Commission comprises at least 35 members drawn from relevant MDAs, institutions, and non-governmental organizations. It convenes in plenary sessions twice a year, typically in March/April and September/October. In years of the General Conference, additional meetings may be scheduled.
The Executive Committee oversees the activities of the Secretariat and specialized committees, ensuring effective and efficient operations. The Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, serves as the main communication channel between the Government of Ghana and UNESCO.
Leadership and Ranks
Key leadership positions within the Commission include:
- Chairman: Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
- Vice-Chairman: Ms. Mamle Andrews
- Secretary-General: Mrs. Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh
Specialized committees are chaired by experts in respective fields, such as Mr. George Sarpong for Legal and Administrative Matters and Prof. Yaw Afari Ankomah for Education.
Mode of Appointment and Recruitment
Members of the Commission are appointed based on their roles within relevant MDAs, institutions, and NGOs. The Secretariat’s staff includes program officers specializing in areas aligned with UNESCO’s fields of competence, such as education, natural sciences, culture, and communication.
Collaborative Offices and Units
Ghana Natcom collaborates with various specialized committees and national entities, including:
- National Bioethics Committee
- National Committee of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP)
- Man and the Biosphere (MAB) National Committee
- National Committee of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
- National Committee of the Information for All Programme (IFAP)
- Ghana Heritage Committee
- National Memory of the World Committee
Constitutional Reforms
While specific constitutional reforms pertaining to Ghana Natcom are not detailed, the Commission operates under the framework established by the Government of Ghana and UNESCO, adapting to evolving educational, scientific, cultural, and communicative needs.
Achievements
Ghana Natcom has significantly contributed to UNESCO’s work, including:
- Hosting the first Africa Regional Centre for Educational Information and Research in 1961.
- Serving multiple terms on UNESCO’s Executive Board since 1972.
- Establishing the Museum of Light on May 16, 2018, marking the first International Day of Light.
- Securing UNESCO Category II Centre designations for the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS-Ghana) and the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA).
- Serving a two-year mandate from 2020 on the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Advisory Board.
References
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/about-us/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/about-us/the-commission/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/about-us/the-secretariat/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/about-us/the-executive-committee/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/about-us/achievements/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/vacancy-assistant-director-general-for-administration-and-management/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/annual-reports-2/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/chief-of-executive-office-communication-and-information/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/call-for-application-assistant-director-general-for-priority-africa-and-external-relations-2/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/job-vacancy-director-of-division/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/about-us/structure/