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The UN Community in Ghana mourns Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

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The UN Community in Ghana mourns Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

The UN Community in Ghana mourns Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

calendar_today 08 June 2017

Executive Director with the little girls welcoming him to the Mallam Atta market as tradition demands
The office of the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Acting Representative of the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA Ghana, announce the sudden death of Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.
 
 
In a joint letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic missions and agency heads of the United Nations in Ghana, Ms. Christine Evans Klock and Ms. Erika Goldson, said they regret to inform with profound sadness and shock the passing away of the UN Under-Secretary General and UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin. He passed peacefully in the early hours of Monday, 5 June 2017, the letter said.
 
 
On a field visit in to Ghana from the 10- 12 February 2016, Dr.  Osotimehin engaged with the President of Ghana, parliament, top-level policy makers, especially ministers, heads of agencies, labour leaders and business executives on the critical investments that the country needs to make now in its youth to fully harness a demographic dividend. He promised parliament on a follow up visit to assist in ensuring Ghana sets the pace for other African countries. He was part of the national launch of the UNFPA/UNCIEF global efforts to end child marriage
 
 
It is noted that the UNFPA Executive Director did not engage with only the top level of society.  Dr. Osotimehin’s paid a working visit to the Malam Atta market to interact with “kayayei” due to his passion for adolescents and for young and vulnerable girls in particular. Ghana’s Professor Fred Sai received a well-deserved courtesy call from Babatunde who was there to congratulate him on his good works in keeping the issues of maternal health including family planning alive through his writings. Professor Osotimehin had working sessions with the Ministries of Health and Gender, Children and Social protection.
 
 
A week of mourning has been declared during which the UN flags will be flown at half-mast and a book of condolence has been opened at the offices of UNFPA Ghana for partners and loved ones as well as the general public. We in the UN family strongly believe that his memories will forever live with Ghana.