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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Edem Wosornu of Ghana as Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, according to a statement released on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Wosornu will succeed Ruvendrini Menikdiwela of Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed gratitude for Menikdiwela’s dedicated service to the refugee cause.
The appointment recognises Wosornu’s extensive experience in humanitarian affairs, spanning over two decades, including leadership roles in emergency response and operational coordination.
Current role and experience
Wosornu currently serves as Director of the Crisis Response Division at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and chairs the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Emergency Directors Group.
Prior to her current role, she held several senior positions at UN headquarters and in the field within OCHA. Her United Nations journey began as an intern at UNHCR, coming full circle with this senior appointment.
Earlier in her career, Wosornu worked in the private legal sector in the United Kingdom.
Academic background
Wosornu holds a Bachelor of Law from Hull University in the United Kingdom, a Master of Laws in International Banking and Finance Law from University College London, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the College of Law in London.
In addition to her native English and Fante, she has a working level of French.
Key protection role
The Assistant High Commissioner for Protection is a senior position within UNHCR, responsible for overseeing the agency’s efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and internally displaced people worldwide.
Wosornu brings to the position over two decades of experience in humanitarian affairs, including extensive leadership roles in emergency response and operational coordination, the statement said.
Her appointment adds to the growing list of Ghanaians occupying senior positions within the United Nations system, reflecting the country’s continued contribution to global governance and humanitarian efforts.
Wosornu is expected to assume her new role in the coming weeks, taking over leadership of UNHCR’s protection division at a time when global displacement numbers remain at record highs due to conflicts, climate change and humanitarian crises across multiple continents.
