Professor Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu, Professor of Law and Director of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) has been appointed a member of the UN Secretary-General’s 14-member High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations.
Professor Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu
The release that accompanied the appointment, noted that the panel is made up of individuals with a wide range of experience and expertise.
Announcing the appointment, UN Secretary-General Banki Moon noted the changing nature of the world, adding that UN peace operations need to change if they are to remain an indispensable and effective tool in promoting international peace and security.
The Panel will make a comprehensive assessment of the state of UN peace operations today, and the emerging needs of the future. It will consider a broad range of issues facing peace operations, including the changing nature of conflict, evolving mandates, good offices and peace-building challenges, managerial and administrative arrangements, planning, partnerships, human rights and protection of civilians, uniformed capabilities for peacekeeping operations and performance.
The Panel will work closely with the main UN Departments concerned, as well as with Member States and the UN system as a whole. It is expected that the Panel’s recommendations submitted to the UN Secretary-General, will be available for consideration by the General Assembly at its 2015 General Debate.
Professor Mensa-Bonsu has served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Rule of Law in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). Prior to this, she undertook a number of national assignments and international assignments for the Organization of African Unity (OAU), African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). She was Ghana’s representative on the Intergover nmental Committee of Experts on the Drafting of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child in 1991, and the OAU’s Committee of Experts on the Lockerbie Case. She was also a member of the Advisory Panel of the International Bar Association for the drafting of a Code of Professional Conduct for Defence Counsel appearing before the International Criminal Court.
The High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations will be chaired by Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste to chair the panel.
Hearty congratulations to Prof. Mensa-Bonsu.
Prof. Mensa-Bonsu viewing Photo Exhibition, April 2011, Liberia
Ghanabatt Medal Day Parade: Prof. Mensa-Bonsu at attention for UN Anthem. (April 2011, Liberia)
