“UNOPS Ghana Celebrates 10 Years of Quiet Excellence”

Story by Fada Amakye

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Ghana recently marked a decade of service in the country, with a low-key celebration that reflected the organization’s humble and professional approach to its work.

Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Zia Choudhury, praised UNOPS for its commitment to getting things done and its reputation for being trustworthy and committed. “I asked around and people said, ‘no, they’re professional, they’re kind of humble, they get things done, we trust them, they’re committed’,” Choudhury said.

Choudhury noted that UNOPS’s unique model, which combines UN values with private sector discipline, makes it an essential part of the UN’s future. As the UN undergoes reform, UNOPS’s self-financing and non-profit business model is seen as a key strength, allowing it to deliver results efficiently and effectively.

The celebration coincided with the UN’s 80th anniversary, and Choudhury highlighted the organization’s efforts to become more agile, efficient, and fit for purpose. “We are reshaping how the UN works, so that every dollar, every cent we spend, every partnership we have, is really giving the greatest value for money to the people we serve,” she said.

Choudhury also acknowledged the UN’s ongoing reform process, initiated by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which aims to make the organization more efficient, accountable, and focused on results. She expressed confidence that UNOPS will continue to play a vital role in the UN’s future, and that its unique model will be an asset in achieving the organization’s goals.

The event was marked with cake, music, and dancing, with Choudhury jokingly encouraging a staff member to “shake, shake the you know, what you call it, that bit” during a musical interlude. The event was a testament to UNOPS’s ability to celebrate its successes while remaining focused on its mission to deliver results for the people of Ghana.