Ghana has officially become the 39th member and a founding member of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) following the signing of the organisation’s convention by Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu.
The signing ceremony took place during a high-level meeting between Ambassador Bonsu and Qi Dahai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking a significant step in Ghana’s engagement with the new international body.
Ambassador Bonsu conveyed that he was authorised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to sign the convention on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He expressed Ghana’s strong support for the IOMed initiative, describing it as a timely and necessary platform dedicated to peaceful dispute resolution, a principle Ghana has consistently championed in international relations.
The IOMed is a China-led initiative first proposed at the United Nations in 2021, aimed at providing a high-level platform for resolving international disputes through mediation, with particular emphasis on the needs of developing countries.
The organisation was founded on May 30, 2026, in Hong Kong by 33 states and is dedicated to promoting mediation as a preferred mechanism for resolving international conflicts. It officially commenced operations on October 27, 2025, and is currently handling its first international dispute case involving intellectual property.
A key feature of the organisation is the high level of autonomy granted to member states in resolving conflicts, an approach designed to ensure win-win outcomes and sustain good relations between countries. Member states are also permitted to nominate and present their own mediators to the organisation.
Ambassador Bonsu expressed confidence that Ghana’s membership marks the beginning of a substantive partnership with the IOMed, and commended the Chinese authorities for their leadership in establishing the organisation.
“This historic signing is a significant milestone for Ghana, and we look forward to working with IOMed to promote peaceful dispute resolution globally,” he said.
