Ghana assumes chairmanship of Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes

Ghana has taken the chairmanship of the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) from Switzerland, marking the first time the organization’s leadership has been outside Europe.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony on Friday in Accra, the Minister for the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, pledged Ghana’s full support to GAAMAC’s mission of preventing mass atrocity crimes.

The Minister highlighted Ghana’s long-standing commitment to global peace, tracing its contributions from the early 1960s in peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lebanon, to interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Sudan.

He noted that Ghana’s leadership in international peacekeeping, from the era of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to Fit Lt. Jerry John Rawlings’ advocacy for Kofi Annan’s appointment as UN Secretary-General, underscores the nation’s dedication to preventing conflicts and crimes against humanity.

The Minister emphasised the importance of GAAMAC’s work in preventing mass atrocity crimes, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

He stressed the need for strengthening early warning systems, combating hate speech, ensuring accountability for perpetrators, and upholding human rights and the rule of law to mitigate these heinous crimes.

He also called for global efforts to address structural inequalities and promote inclusive societies to reduce the risk of atrocities.

Mr. Muntaka congratulated Dr. George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, on his appointment as GAAMAC’s new Chairman.

He urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to fulfill GAAMAC’s mandate of preventing mass atrocity crimes and building a safer, more inclusive world.

The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Simone Giger, has welcomed Ghana’s assumption of the secretariat and coordination of the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC).

The Ambassador noted that Ghana hosting the secretariat is particularly befitting, given the country’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.

On his part, the New Chair of GAAMAC, Dr. George Amu, pledged to deepen engagement with the Regional Initiatives and the Africa Working Group.

“My vision is to facilitate closer collaboration among African states, civil society, and regional bodies, ensuring that best practices are shared, challenges are addressed collectively, and local capacities are strengthened,” he noted.

GAAMAC is a community of commitments that enables states, civil society organizations, and academic institutions to exchange information, experiences, and challenges, and share practical solutions for the prevention of atrocities. The alliance focuses on preventing mass atrocity crimes, including genocide, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.