28 July 1983

Assistance to Ghana

The Economic and Social Council,

Deeply concerned at the adverse economic conditions in Ghana, exacerbated by the sudden repatriation of over one million Ghanaians and the acute food shortages resulting from unfavourable weather conditions,

Considering the urgent problems of rehabilitating and reintegrating the large number of returnees into the ailing economy of the country,

Affirming the urgent need for international action to assist the Government and the people of Ghana in their efforts for economic recovery and the rehabilitation of returnees,

Noting with satisfaction the emergency humanitarian assistance rendered by Governments, the United Nations sytem and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations during the difficult period of the influx of returnees,

Noting with appreciation the response of the Secretary-General to the request of the Government of Ghana and his prompt dispatch of a multi-agency mission to Ghana to consult with the Government on the preparation of short-term and medium-term programmes of assistance geared towards the generation of employment among the returnees,

Having heard the oral report of the Assistant Secretary-General of the Office for Special Political Questions and Joint Co-ordinator of Special Economic Assistance Programmes on the multi-agency mission to Ghana,

Taking note of the statement made to the Economic and Social Council by the representative of the Government of Ghana,

1. Takes note of the efforts made by the Government and the people of Ghana to rehabilitate returnees;

2. Expresses its appreciation for the action taken by the Secretary-General;

3. Takes note of the oral report on the multi-agency mission and endorses the recommendations of the mission;

4. Expresses its gratitude to all States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Ghana;

5. Urgently appeals to all States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the specialized agencies and programmes of the United Nations system to contribute generously and to provide the further assistance needed to enable Ghana to pursue its economic recovery programme and its efforts to rehabilitate returnees;

6. Requests the Secretary-General:

(a) To submit the report of the multi-agency mission to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session and to disseminate it as widely as possible;

(b) To ensure that adequate financial arrangements are made for the organization of an effective programme of international assistance to Ghana and for the mobilization of international assistance;

(c) To establish a special account under the United Nations Trust Fund for Special Economic Assistance Programmes for the purpose of facilitating the channelling of contributions to Ghana in accordance with the recommendations of the multi-agency mission;

(d) To apprise the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1984 of progress made in the implementation of the present resolution.