Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, joined world leaders at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on Sunday for the launch of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

The new declaration, developed over the past year by a cross-regional group of countries including Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, aims to strengthen global political will to safeguard aid workers and ensure safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian assistance in conflict zones.

It reaffirms the global community’s commitment to international humanitarian law while urging governments and institutions to translate that commitment into effective action.

Ghana’s participation highlights its long-standing role in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, reflecting its support for global measures that protect humanitarian personnel serving in volatile areas.

The launch ceremony featured the signing of the declaration, the unveiling of a commemorative installation, and a vigil in memory of aid workers who lost their lives while serving in conflict situations.