Dr. Alex Quaison-Sackey was a Ghanaian diplomat who made history by becoming the first black African to serve as the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He was elected to the position in 1969, during a critical time in the history of the UN.
Dr. Quaison-Sackey was born in Accra, Ghana, in 1924. He studied law in London and returned to Ghana in 1952 to practice law. He was an active participant in the country’s independence struggle, and after Ghana gained independence in 1957, he was appointed as the country’s first ambassador to the United States.
Dr. Quaison-Sackey’s diplomatic career spanned several decades, during which he served in various capacities in the UN. He was a strong advocate for African issues, and as President of the UNGA, he played a critical role in promoting the interests of African countries.
During his tenure, Dr. Quaison-Sackey focused on several key issues, including decolonization, disarmament, and the promotion of human rights. He also advocated for the establishment of a New International Economic Order that would promote economic growth and development in developing countries.
Dr. Quaison-Sackey’s leadership at the UNGA earned him widespread recognition and respect, both in Ghana and internationally. He continued to serve in various diplomatic roles, including as Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, until his death in 1992.
Dr. Alex Quaison-Sackey was a trailblazer in African diplomacy and a pioneer in the fight for decolonization and economic development. His legacy continues to inspire a new generation of African diplomats and leaders who seek to advance the interests of their countries and the continent as a whole.
Quaison-Sackey died at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra following a pulmonary embolism on 28th December 1992.