Ghana Mission in Geneva

On 27 May 2026, H.E. Emmanuel Kwame Asiedu Antwi moderated a panel discussion on the development and adoption of international standards for menstrual products at a high-level event at the WTO Committee on Market Access High-Level Event on Trade in Menstrual Products.

The panel featured Mr. Erich Kieck, Director of Capacity Building at the International Organization for Standardization, Ambassador Excellency Nina Tornberg of Sweden, and Mr Dominic O'Neill, Executive Director, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Asiedu Antwi highlighted Ghana’s role in the development of international standards for menstrual products as Co-Secretariat of ISO/TC 338. He reflected on Ghana’s recent hosting of the ISO/TC 338 meetings in Accra in April 2026 and underscored the importance of standards in promoting public health, product safety, consumer confidence, and trade facilitation

He further emphasized Ghana’s commitment to advancing menstrual health and hygiene, including efforts to ensure that secondary school girls have access to menstrual products through government budgetary allocation and distribution programmes.

The panel discussion highlighted the link between standards development and Harmonized System (HS) classification, and the role of the WTO in supporting transparency, market access and cooperation on essential health-related products.
The ongoing ISO work is led by the Swedish Institute for Standards as Secretariat and the Ghana Standards Authority as Co-Secretariat.

Ghana at the World Stage - 79th World Health Assembly

On 18 May 2026, President John Dramani Mahama delivered the keynote address at the opening of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, placing Ghana and Africa at the forefront of discussions on global health reform.

Addressing world leaders, health ministers, and international delegates, he highlighted the growing uncertainty within the global health architecture arising from pressures on the multilateral system and significant reductions in international assistance. President Mahama noted that Ghana alone lost approximately US$78 million in health financing following the suspension of U.S. aid programmes, affecting interventions in malaria, maternal and child health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS.

President Mahama underscored the importance of strengthening African health sovereignty through sustainable domestic financing and resilient national health systems. He highlighted key reforms undertaken by Ghana, including the expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme, now covering an estimated 66% of the population, the introduction of the Free Primary Health Care Programme, and the removal of NHIS funding caps, which released an additional GHS 3 billion for health investment.

He further referenced the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, MahamaCares, which supports treatment for non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and kidney failure, while reaffirming Ghana’s intention to transition from Gavi support by 2030 with the long-term ambition of becoming a donor country.

Calling for greater emphasis on implementation and measurable outcomes, President Mahama stressed that progress in global health must ultimately be assessed by its impact on communities and vulnerable populations. He emphasised that every child, regardless of geography, should have an equal opportunity to survive and thrive. The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended President Mahama’s leadership and acknowledged the growing influence of Ghana’s contributions to global health discourse. Ghana’s participation at the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a more equitable, resilient, and self-sustaining global health system.

The Geneva Mission is pleased to welcome you. Wishing you a fruitful and memorable visit.

On Monday 11th May, 2026, H.E. Emmanuel Asiedu Antwi hosted about 50 students from Sciences Po Paris, one of France’s leading institutions for political science, international relations, diplomacy, and public affairs, at the Permanent Mission of Ghana in Geneva for an engaging dialogue on Ghana’s role in multilateral diplomacy and Africa’s contribution to global governance.

During the interaction, H.E. took time to explain Ghana’s active engagement within the United Nations system and the World Trade Organization (WTO), highlighting the country’s leadership in advancing development-oriented outcomes, promoting international cooperation, and safeguarding Ghana’s national interests within the multilateral system. Discussions also touched on Ghana’s contribution to ongoing international conversations on historical justice, the legacy of slavery, as well as the broader role of African countries in shaping global decision-making.

The exchange also highlighted Ghana’s priorities in trade, sustainable development, regional integration, and South-South cooperation, while promoting greater understanding of African perspectives among future global leaders.
The engagement reflects Ghana’s continued commitment to constructive diplomacy and inclusive global governance.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Ghana to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva convened a comprehensive briefing session with members of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, who are in Geneva to participate in the ongoing 52nd session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which commenced on Monday, 4 May and will conclude on 15 May 2026.

The delegation is led by Hon. Eric Anim, Chair of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, and comprises Hon. Isaac Ashai Adamtten; Hon. Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe; Hon. Lawrencia Dziwornu and Hon. Dan Abdul-Latif. The delegation forms part of Ghana’s broader engagement with the Human Rights Council during the current UPR cycle.

The engagement served as a platform for an interactive exchange, during which critical issues requiring legislative backing were identified and discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of Parliament in supporting the implementation of UPR recommendations, strengthening national human rights institutions, and ensuring sustained oversight of Ghana’s international human rights obligations.

The session underscored the importance of sustained coordination between the Mission and Parliament to ensure alignment between Ghana’s international human rights commitments and domestic implementation, while reinforcing the country’s effective and credible engagement within the UN Human Rights process.

His Excellency Emmanuel Antwi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the WTO, received a delegation from the Ghana International Trade Commission, led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs. Mavis Adjei-Kwaa.

The delegation included officials from the Ghana Free Zones Authority, led by Deputy CEO Mr. Hamidu Sibiri Musah, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The delegation is in Geneva to participate in meetings of the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, a key platform for promoting transparency, compliance, and the effective use of trade remedies.

During the courtesy call, the delegation briefed the Mission on their objectives. H.E. Antwi highlighted the importance of the Ghana International Trade Commission as the country’s trade remedies authority, safeguarding domestic industries while ensuring compliance with WTO rules. He also emphasized the role of the Ghana Free Zones Authority in driving export-led industrialization, investment, and competitiveness. The Ambassador reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to supporting both institutions through advocacy, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives.