Remarks by H. E. Harold Adlai Agyeman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the U. N., Co-Organizer of the 2024 “Diwali Stamp – The Power of One Awards

Must read

UNITED NATIONS 6 DECEMBER 2024

Thank you very much David, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Georgia.

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Friends

I would like to begin by thanking my dear friends, Ranju and Ravi Batra, for their fortitude in sustaining this Ceremony and for convening such a rich diversity of colleagues and friends. Congratulations!!

While circumstances over the last three (3) years conspired against my physical presence at these ceremonies, in a pre-incarnation as a former Deputy High Commissioner of my country in the historic city of Delhi, I experienced Diwali three (3) times and I have never felt disconnected from its strong symbolism of hope nor the virtues that this Ceremony and awards recognition brings to the citadel of nations, here at the United Nations.

Diwali has grown over the years into a powerful global symbol, and I foresee, as has been set in the remarks of Ambassador David Bakradze that many after me would also speak on what Diwali represents – the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and peace over violence. 

Like them, I share the belief that the spirit of Diwali and the virtues it stands for are not just token representations of the past but the enduring requirement of our humanity today, to make our shared world a better place than we came to meet it.

Unfortunately, in far too many instances, throughout history, ignorance has been displayed, violence has been made to supplant peace, evil has prevailed where good should thrive, and the individual and collective light that we share has been masked where light was required.

I recall an encounter I had several years ago with a traditional wiseman, who carried with him, at all times, a lit lamp, even during the daytime. When I gathered the courage to inquire of him why he did so, his response to me was simple – this world is full of darkness. 

While this world may indeed be full of darkness and you and I may not carry with us, a physical lamp at all times, in each of us is an Eternal Light that we should use in lighting this world and guiding the decisions we make and the actions we take. As Members of the United Nations, ours is to reverse the disorder and sustain the pathway for peace, stability, and progress for the peoples of the world. Today, it may seem, at times, to many that this United Nations is less united than it ought to be around our core purposes and principles. The responsibility of the now is however to remind ourselves of what existed before this Organisation was created, what we have achieved together when we have been united in our cause, and the dim prospects for the peace, security and progress of our world and its people should we remain on course that drifts us towards a “disUnited Nations”.

I congratulate all the four eminent colleagues of the 2024 Diwali Stamp awards, who coincidentally all served their countries on the Security Council and made distinct and important contributions to global peace and stability. I congratulate you Juan Ramon, Ferit, Tarek and Olof.

I end with the words of my compatriot Busumuru Kofi Annan, the 7th United Nations Secretary General, who once said: “To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”

Let us all chose well during this season in line with the spirit of Diwali.

I thank you.  

More articles

Latest article