The Government of Ghana has been commended for voting in the Human Rights Council in favour of Palestine and for supporting the Palestinian cause in its quest for self-determination and the rejection of settlements on Palestinian lands.

His Excellency Abdulfatah Atsatari, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Ghana, who gave the commendation vowed to resist the illegal occupation of and settlement in Palestinian lands by Israel.

H.E. Atsatari said the only demand of the Palestinian people was self-determination and that the only solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict was the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the lands occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital.

He was addressing the audience, including the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana when he hosted a Dinner to mark the occasion of the 2018 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people in Accra on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 in Accra.

In an address delivered on his behalf, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, expressed the Government of Ghana’s solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle for an independent State.

President Akufo-Addo also pledged Ghana’s renewed resolve to increase and sustain the contributions made by the international community towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.

President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana was among one of the first countries which recognized the State of Palestine when it was formally proclaimed in 1988 and had since worked together for the realization of the Palestinian cause for self-determination and the creation of an independent homeland of their own in Palestine.

He said Ghana was convinced the two-state solution remained the best option for achieving peace between Israel and Palestine, and affirmed Government’s support for a lasting solution to the conflict in accordance with international accords and resolutions on the issue, while urging both sides to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict through negotiations, with the support of the international community.

He affirmed the commitment and determination of the Government of Ghana to continue to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between Ghana and the State of Palestine.

In a message delivered by Her Excellency Ms Christine Evans-Clock, United Nations Resident Co-coordinator in Ghana, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, urged Israel and Palestine and all others of influence to restore the promise and viability of the two-state solution premised on two states living side by side in peace, harmony and within secure and recognised borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both.

The Secretary-General urged all stakeholders in the conflict to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and to building a future of peace, justice and dignity for the Palestinians and Israelis alike.

On her part, Ms Evans-Clock said the observance of the Solidarity Day should remind the international community about the importance of the commitment to the Sustainable Development Agenda― of leaving no one behind; reducing inequalities within and between countries; promoting good justice by addressing the root causes of conflict between groups and to continue to empower institutions for conflict resolution.

November 29 is observed annually as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People because that was the Day in 1947 when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution 181 which provided for the establishment in Palestine of a Jewish State and an Arab State.

Again, on November 29, 2012, the State of Palestine joined the United Nations as a non-member observer State, with its Flag flying, since 2015 at the United Nations, next to those of all Member States.

Source: G.D Zaney, Esq.