Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, has joined fellow Heads of Mission in South Africa to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of Haitian Flag Day, reaffirming diplomatic solidarity and historical ties with Haiti.
The High Commissioner joined members of the Diplomatic Corps, government officials, and friends of Haiti at a reception held in Johannesburg on May 18, 2026, at the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism.
The event commemorated the historic 1803 Congress of Arcahaie, when revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines removed the white stripe from the French tricolour and, with the assistance of seamstress Catherine Flon, created the blue and red flag that symbolised Haiti’s independence struggle.
Speakers at the event highlighted the enduring symbolism of the Haitian flag as a representation of resistance, unity, and liberation from colonial rule, themes that continue to resonate across the Global South.
Ghana’s participation in the celebration also reinforced its long-standing diplomatic and historical solidarity with Haiti, rooted in shared experiences of colonialism, emancipation, and Pan-African cooperation.
Haiti has also demonstrated reciprocal support for African-led initiatives, including its vote in favour of the United Nations resolution sponsored by Ghana calling for the declaration of the Transatlantic Slave Trade as the gravest crime against humanity, joining 122 member states in support of the landmark decision.
Ghana has previously extended humanitarian assistance to Haiti, including a US$3 million donation following the devastating earthquake of January 12, alongside relief commitments coordinated through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations has also consistently emphasised support for a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solution to the country’s protracted political and security challenges during Security Council briefings on Haiti.
At the multilateral level, Ghana continues to advocate for stronger international coordination to support Haiti’s stabilisation, reconstruction, and democratic governance, particularly through UN-led peacebuilding and development frameworks.
Haiti remains in a prolonged political and security crisis marked by the absence of fully functional elected government institutions and worsening gang-related violence, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Armed groups continue to control large sections of the city, disrupting access to basic services, displacing thousands of civilians, and severely constraining humanitarian operations.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned that the country is facing a deepening humanitarian emergency, with food insecurity, limited healthcare access, and deteriorating public infrastructure affecting millions of Haitians.
In response, international partners have supported a UN-backed multinational security mission aimed at assisting Haitian authorities in restoring order and stabilising key urban areas, although implementation challenges and funding gaps remain significant.
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