The Ghana Commission for UNESCO on Tuesday, 12th May 2026 marked a significant institutional milestone with the inauguration of its new Executive Committee. The Committee, nominated by H.E the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama was sworn in by the Honourable Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu who also serves as the Chairperson of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO.
The inauguration fulfils a statutory requirement of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO Act, 2023 (Act 1104), which mandates that the President appoint the Chairperson and members of the Executive Committee in accordance with Article 70 of the Constitution of Ghana. The Committee is responsible to the General Assembly of the Commission and serves as the institutional body charged with coordinating the activities of the Secretariat of the Commission and the Specialised Programme Committees.
Composition of The Executive Committee
The members of the Executive Committee are Rev. Fr. Daniel Kwadwo Lenwah, SVD (Chairperson), Ms. Audrey Naana Abayena (Esq), Jamila Jakalia, and Musah Abdallah, Prof. Stephen A. Ayidiya, Prof. Eliasu Mumuni, Prof. Abigail Gura, Ph. D, Prof. Kodzo Gavua and Ago Kwashi Macgranaky Quaye and Prof. Osman Tahidu Damba, Secretary-General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO as Secretary.
Mandate and Functions
Pursuant to Section 12 of Act 1104, the Executive Committee is mandated to ensure the Secretariat of the Commission implements the decisions of the General Assembly, maintains sound and proper financial management, recommends budget approvals, and exercises general control over the management of the Commission on all matters of policy.
The Committee is also mandated to serve as an advisory wing of the Commission with the mandate of advancing UNESCO’s pillars of Education, Natural Science, Social and Human Science, Culture, and Communication and Information at the national level.
The Hon Minister of Education who also serves as the Chairman for the Commission in his brief remarks congratulated the executive committee.
“We trust that you would work to promote quality and inclusive education for all, and support scientific research and innovation, preserve and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, and empower the youth through skills development and digital literacy”he added.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Rev. Fr. Daniel Kwadwo Lenwah, SVD also added;
“Without education, a country cannot progress anywhere. Thank you for appointing us to this board. We will humbly execute our duties. Everything we do will align with UNESCO in promoting education, culture and science in Ghana and beyond. We will not let you down — with your support and collaboration, we will deliver our best.” The inauguration of the Executive Committee signals a renewed commitment by the Ghana Commission for UNESCO to fulfil its obligations under the UNESCO mandate and to deepen Ghana’s engagement with international cultural, scientific, and educational frameworks. NATCOM Ghana looks forward to the Committee’s leadership in driving impactful programmes across all UNESCO priority areas.
