The Republic of Ghana has reiterated calls for Russia to return to the status quo immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from all areas within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.
It stated the resolution on a just peace in Ukraine adopted by the General Assembly under the 11th Emergency Special Session, in affirmation of the values and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations should ignite a renewed commitment to take the actions needed to realize collective aspirations for lasting peace between the two countries.
“We strongly believe that the channels of diplomacy and dialogue offer the best chances of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace and urge the Members of this Council to strengthen their efforts in support of credible negotiations between the parties. We have little option than to invest in peace.”
This is contained in a statement delivered to the United Nations Security Council by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum -Sarpong on maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.
According to him, over the past year, the international community has called upon the Russian Federation to end its destructive war and, “We have listened carefully, at each turn, to its attempts to rationalize the on-going actions in Ukraine.”
“Between the reality on the ground and the changing narratives, including protection of ethnic Russians in parts of Ukraine from Russo-phobic attacks, our assessment remains that the on-going aggression against Ukraine is by all standards, unlawful, unjustified and unacceptable.”
He stated the conventional frameworks and judicial mechanisms such as the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice should serve as the only acceptable recourse in addressing any claims of human rights violations.
Ghana, he said, considers it untenable that a permanent member of the Security Council, entrusted with the distinct responsibility for the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security, would choose the path of war to the exclusion of the diplomatic and internationally acceptable means at its disposal.
The Deputy Minister lamented the devastating humanitarian toll and the thousands of lost since Russian launched its war and indicated sustained missile bombardments mainly targeted at civilian populated areas have resulted in more than 21,000 casualties, including 8,006 deaths and 13,287 injured.
478 innocent children, he said, have been killed and 954 injured.
He added that 50% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, which has left many households without heating or water and at the mercies of the harrowing winter conditions.
The war has unleashed a devastating humanitarian toll and claimed thousands of lives. Sustained missile bombardments mainly targeted at civilian populated areas have resulted in more than 21,000 casualties, including 8,006 deaths and 13,287 injured. It is saddening to note that 478 innocent children have been killed and 954 injured. Millions of people have been displaced with some 8 million living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Our own national compatriots, most of whom were college students, had their education disrupted when they were forced to flee from Ukraine.
Ghana, he said, condemns the targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and the hostilities that have been carried on without regard for the principles of proportionality and distinction.
Warring parties, he stressed, have obligations under International Humanitarian Law, which they must comply with.
Mr. Ampratwu-Sarpong expressed worry the war is moving in a direction that leaves much concern as the events of the past 12 months have demonstrated that no one is immune from the consequences of the war in Ukraine.
The international community, he said, therefore has a responsibility to redouble its efforts to avert the catastrophe of a more brutal war than what we have witnessed so far.