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Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong Shines at the 80th UN General Assembly – Speaks and Moderates key Panels on the SDGs, Media Leadership & Impact
On Thursday September 25, 2025, the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) witnessed a strong display of African leadership and global collaboration as celebrated Ghanaian media personality Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong moderated two high-level panel discussions and delivered remarks on another panel at the Goals Lounge – a special initiative convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships.
Nana Yaa, a passionate SDG Advocate who currently celebrates 26 years of impact in media, made Ghana proud at this year’s UNGA in New York.
The Goals Lounge brought together world leaders, UN officials, private sector executives, and media practitioners to address urgent global issues.
Nana Yaa Sarpong shared the stage with distinguished figures including Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda; Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of UN Partnerships; Gerd Müller, Director-General of UNIDO; Edmondo Cirielli, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy; Federica Diamanti, Associate Vice President for External Relations at IFAD; and Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communication.
The first session she moderated was dubbed “Brewing Sustainability: The Global Coffee Dialogue,” which examined sustainable sourcing and the future of global coffee trade as a means of sustaining livelihood.
The programme generated insightful sessions where people, ideas, and actions were shared on.
The event spotlighted a multi-stakeholder partnership, strengthening the global coffee value chain as a catalyst for sustainable development. Globally, over 12.5 million farmers depend on coffee production, with 80% grown by smallholder farmers.
The dialogue also brought to the fore coffee’s role linking agriculture, industry, and climate policy, while showcasing the Advancing Climate Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee (ACT) Programme as a platform for investment and collaboration.
Subsequently, she again moderated the insighful panel on ‘Reframing the SDGs: Africa’s Voice, Media’s Power and Impactful Narratives.’
The session explored how Africa can reset the SDG narrative by centering its own voices, experiences, and innovations. Through storytelling for impact, panellists discussed how media can amplify African-led solutions and drive public engagement.
The conversation highlighted the role of journalists, creatives, and communicators in shaping a development narrative that reflects Africa’s complexity, resilience, and promise.
She addressed a session on “Beyond the Headlines: How Women Media Leaders Are Expanding the Story.”
Women media leaders are transforming the industry, breaking barriers, challenging bias, and the evolving role of women in media on reshaping narratives.
This session spotlighted the contribution of women media leaders, with insights from the UN Global Women in Media Report 2025, and the power of inclusive storytelling in shaping public understanding of peace, security, and progress in today’s complex global landscape.
Reflecting on her participation, Nana Yaa Sarpong described the opportunity as both an honour and a responsibility, underscoring the importance of amplifying African voices and centering women in global conversations.
“It is a privilege to use my platform to highlight issues of sustainability, gender equity, and Africa’s leadership in shaping global narratives,” she noted.
The sessions, now available for public viewing, form part of the broader activities of the 80th UNGA in New York, which continues to convene world leaders, policymakers, civil society, and private sector partners in pursuit of accelerated progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Also present were Arthur Karuletwa – VP Sustainable Sourcing and Impact, Chobani, Vanusia Nogueira – International Coffee Organization, Executive Director, Solomon Sabiti Rutega – Secretary General, Inter-African Coffee Organisation, Andrea Illy – President of illycaffè, Ambassador John Ulanga – Ambassador and Director of International Trade and Economic Diplomacy at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of Ending Violence against Women at UN Women; Olusola Momoh, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of Channels Television in Nigeria; Jennifer Zabasajja, Chief Africa Anchor at Bloomberg; and Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist and Climate Correspondent for ABC News, among other global voices from international organizations and industry.
Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong is also an Entrepreneur, International Trade Consultant, Pastor, Women & Youth and SDG Advocate.
She is the General Manager of Ghana’s media group – EIB Network, and the Founder and President of Women In Sustainability Africa (WiSA), which was recently launched to mark a new beginning to accelerate growth towards the closure of the SDG gaps, including gender inequality.
The Ministry of the Interior has suspended the Private Security Organisation licence of Kantanka Security Services Limited with immediate effect.
The suspension follows reports of alleged use of unprescribed uniforms, and unauthorised possession and use of firearms and ammunition by the company’s personnel.
The incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026, while they were providing private security services at Kwabenya, Accra.
According to the ministry, preliminary investigations suggest possible violations of the Police Service (Private Security Organisations) Regulations, 1992, L.I. 1571, which regulate private security operations in Ghana.
The Ministry said the use of unprescribed uniforms, unauthorised firearms, and security accoutrements by private guards constitutes a serious breach with direct implications for public safety.
As a result, Kantanka Security Services Limited has been directed to cease all operations immediately pending the outcome of investigations.
All individuals and institutions are advised to stop doing business with the company until further notice from the Ministry.
The Ministry has also instructed Kantanka Security Services to fully cooperate with the Ghana Police Service and provide all information needed for a thorough investigation.
The Ministry assured the public that the suspension is an administrative measure to protect public safety while investigations continue, adding that appropriate action will be taken after investigations, in line with laws governing private security operations in Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The National Democratic Congress has officially renamed its national headquarters the “Jerry John Rawlings House” to honour its founder and former President, Jerry John Rawlings.
The ceremony took place on Monday, June 22, 2026, as part of activities marking what would have been Rawlings’ 79th birthday.
Held under the theme “From Revolution to Fourth Republic: The Rawlings Legacy,” the event brought together party members and senior government officials to celebrate his life, leadership, and role in shaping Ghana’s democracy.
President John Dramani Mahama unveiled a commemorative plaque and a bust of the late statesman at the newly named building.
He said the renaming is a tribute to Rawlings’ immense contribution to the NDC and the nation.
“History matters because it teaches people where they came from and inspires the future,” Mahama said.
He described the ceremony as a significant act of institutional memory that ensures future generations understand the sacrifices made to build the party and protect Ghana’s democracy.
Kimathi Rawlings, son of the late President, expressed the family’s gratitude.
“The naming of this headquarters after our dad, Jerry John Rawlings, is far more than a symbolic gesture,” he said.
He called it a fitting tribute to Rawlings’ legacy, values, and sacrifices that continue to influence Ghana’s politics.
The event ended with a cake-cutting to mark Rawlings’ birthday.
Rawlings, who died in November 2020, first led Ghana as a military ruler, then guided the transition to constitutional rule and served as the country’s first President under the Fourth Republic from 1993 to 2001. He remains one of the most influential figures in Ghana’s modern history.
The ceremony which was a moment of remembrance and celebration of his enduring legacy was attended by top party officials, government appointees and NDC faithfuls
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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