United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an attack that left three Ghanaian peacekeepers injured during heavy gunfire in southwestern Lebanon.

The incident occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026, in the town of Al Qawzah, where the peacekeepers were stationed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The soldiers were inside their assigned position when intense exchanges of fire erupted in the area.

According to UN officials, two of the injured personnel are receiving treatment at a UNIFIL medical facility, while the third, who sustained more serious injuries, was airlifted to Beirut for specialised care. The evacuation highlights the growing risks faced by international peacekeepers operating in volatile conflict zones.

In a statement released after the attack, Guterres condemned the violence and extended his wishes for the soldiers’ recovery.

“The Secretary-General condemns the incident on Friday, 6 March, which resulted in three Ghanaian peacekeepers of UNIFIL being injured inside their position in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon, amidst heavy firing. He wishes a swift and full recovery to the injured peacekeepers,” the statement said.

The UN chief also stressed that international law requires the protection of UN personnel and facilities. He warned that any deliberate attack against peacekeepers could amount to a war crime.

“The safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times, and those responsible must be held accountable. The inviolability of UN installations must be respected by all,” Guterres stated.

The attack comes at a time of rising tensions across the Middle East, with intensified hostilities involving the Israel Defense Forces and armed groups in Lebanon. The situation has worsened amid a broader conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.

Southern Lebanon has increasingly become a secondary front in the conflict, with frequent exchanges of fire reported between the Israeli military and Hezbollah fighters. The ongoing violence has placed civilians and international peacekeepers at heightened risk.

UNIFIL operates under the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted following the 2006 Lebanon War to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, the latest escalation has strained that fragile peace. The United Nations reports that more than 80,000 civilians have been displaced in southern Lebanon as clashes intensify along the border.

Ghana remains one of the largest contributors of troops to the UNIFIL mission, with its peacekeepers playing a key role in maintaining stability in the border region.

The United Nations has called on all parties involved to immediately reduce tensions and respect the terms of Resolution 1701.

“The United Nations urges the parties to de-escalate immediately and fully adhere to their obligations under Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006),” Guterres said.

The safety of Ghanaian and other international peacekeepers, the UN emphasised, ultimately depends on renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent the region from sliding into a wider and more destructive conflict.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that Ghana has recorded eight deaths and more than 1,000 confirmed cases of Mpox since a fresh outbreak began in May 2025.

Speaking in Parliament, the minister revealed that the country has so far confirmed 1,038 cases of the disease. He was responding to questions from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding the growing number of infections reported across the country.

Mr Akandoh explained that the outbreak has affected 124 districts nationwide, representing about 47.51 percent of the country’s districts. The Greater Accra Region and Western Region have recorded the highest number of cases.

He noted that the government, through the Ghana Health Service and with support from partners, activated a coordinated multi sectoral response to contain the outbreak and protect public health.

“Since the outbreak began in May 2025, the Ministry of Health has implemented several interventions aimed at interrupting transmission,” Mr Akandoh told Parliament.

According to him, the most recent update as of March 3, 2026 shows that eight deaths have been recorded, mostly among individuals with underlying health conditions. He added that only one patient is currently on admission and no critical cases have been reported.

The minister outlined a number of measures implemented to control the outbreak, including enhanced surveillance, intensive contact tracing with 21 day follow ups, and expanded laboratory testing.

Testing continues at key national facilities such as the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research.

Mr Akandoh also highlighted the role of public education and community engagement, noting that authorities are working with community leaders, civil society groups, and the media to increase awareness about prevention and early detection.

On vaccination efforts, he said Ghana received 33,600 Mpox vaccine doses from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

He stated that 31,231 people in 12 districts across the Ashanti Region, Greater Accra Region, and Western Region have already been vaccinated, achieving more than 95 percent coverage of the targeted population.

The minister assured Parliament that the government is covering all medical costs related to Mpox treatment during the outbreak.

“No patient will bear the cost of treatment,” he said.

Mr Akandoh added that the interventions are producing positive results, with a noticeable decline in infections since the introduction of vaccination, although a few sporadic cases have been reported in recent months.

He urged members of Parliament to support the national response by helping to provide accurate public information and strengthen Ghana’s health security systems.

Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has extended warm wishes to women and girls in Ghana and across the world as the nation joined the global community to mark International Women’s Day 2026.

In a message shared on her social media platforms, the Vice President commended the resilience, achievements and significant role women continue to play in national development. She encouraged citizens to celebrate the progress made while sustaining efforts to broaden opportunities for women and girls.

“On this International Women’s Day 2026, I send heartfelt greetings to all women and girls across Ghana and around the world,” she said. “Let us be proud of the resilience, achievements and essential contributions women continue to make to our nation’s progress.”

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that this year’s theme, “Giving to Gain,” highlights the country’s growing commitment to gender inclusion and the empowerment of women.

She pointed to the government’s deliberate effort to ensure that women make up at least 30 percent of public appointments as a clear demonstration of the importance of inclusive leadership.

According to her, increasing women’s representation in key decision-making roles brings diverse talent and perspectives that contribute to national growth.

“The intentional effort to ensure women make up at least 30 percent of government appointments recognizes a simple truth about national development,” she said. “When women serve as ministers, lead major public institutions and help shape policy at the highest levels, the country benefits from a broader range of talent and perspective.”

The Vice President stressed that women’s empowerment should extend beyond government institutions to other sectors of society.

She noted that expanding opportunities for women in business, academia, civil society, the creative industry and faith-based leadership would strengthen the nation’s social and economic development.

“In business, academia, civil society, the creative industries, faith leadership and other sectors, expanding opportunities for women enhances our national life and increases the pool of leadership that we rely on,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that promoting women’s participation is not merely symbolic but a strategic investment in the country’s future.

“Empowering women is not just a favour; it is a strategic investment in better governance and a more confident Ghana,” she added.

She further called for sustained support for gender equality and the advancement of women both in Ghana and globally.