An Examination of the Privileges and Obligations of Membership of International Organization: The Case of Ghana within the United Nations

Abstract

Ghana has joined several international organizations in order to enhance international cooperation with other states in addressing global security and development crises. However, this particular study focuses predominantly on Ghana’s membership to the United Nations (UN). Ghana has been a member of the UN since August 8, 1957 and as such has contributed significantly to addressing international security and development crises through the systems and structures of the UN. Towards this end, this study utilized the theories of Neo-institutionalism and Cooperation to examine the privileges and obligations of Ghana as a member of the UN. The study also accessed challenged faced by Ghana in fulfilling her obligations to the UN. The study was purely qualitative and relied primarily on secondary sources of data. Data collected was analyzed using content analysis grounded on the theories of International Cooperation and Neo-institutionalism. The main findings of the study were that Ghana as a member of the UN enjoys some privileges including sovereignty, development assistance and supports, capacity building, global recognition and good image and peaceful resolution of international disputes. The study showed that to continue enjoying these privileges as a member of the UN, there are some key obligations which behooves on Ghana to perform including political representation, troop contribution to peacekeeping operations, contribution to international development, abiding and ratification of the UN’s Conventions, Statutes, Treaties and International law, and also paying of annual dues to the accomplishment of the mandates of the organization. Also, the study showed that there are some challenges which bedevils Ghana in full fulfilment of her obligations to the UN. Paramount among these challenges include conflicting national interests, institutional proliferation of many integration groups, external influence of powerful states, economic difficulties and non-representation as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that Ghana’s membership of the United Nations has been beneficial to her development and the promotion of international peace and security. Towards this end, the study recommends the Ghana should take effective and proactive measures to manage the challenges she faces in fulfilling her obligations to the international organizations such as the United Nations, to take full advantage of the privileges which comes with being a member of such organizations as indicated in this study.