Ghana's Edem Wosornu Appointed as UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection

Ghanaian humanitarian leader Edem Wosornu has been appointed as the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The appointment, announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, places Wosornu in a pivotal senior role dedicated to the protection of refugees and individuals displaced by global crises. This promotion represents a crowning achievement in a career that spans over two decades within the international organization, solidifying her status as a leading voice in global humanitarian affairs. Wosornu's rise to the top of the UNHCR is a testament to her dedication, having remarkably begun her journey with the agency as an intern more than 20 years ago. Before this high-level appointment, she served in various senior capacities at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Her extensive field and administrative experience includes managing complex humanitarian responses in some of the world's most volatile regions, including Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. In a moment that underscored her professional commitment, Wosornu was delivering a briefing to the UN Security Council regarding the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan at the very time news of her promotion was confirmed. Beyond her personal success, Wosornu's new role is being celebrated as a significant milestone for Ghana and the African continent. Her presence in the senior leadership of the UNHCR enhances Africa's representation in the upper echelons of global humanitarian governance. As the world continues to face record levels of displacement due to conflict and climate change, Wosornu’s expertise will be critical in shaping the international community's response to the protection needs of the most vulnerable. Her journey from intern to Assistant High Commissioner serves as an inspiring example of professional excellence and leadership on the global stage.