The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has conducted a two-day engagement with various stakeholders in Damongo to review Ghana’s progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2022. Michael Kissi-Boateng, a Planning Analyst with the Commission, explained that the review process is an integral part of the Agenda 2030, which provides invaluable contributions to sustainable development goals’ progress, challenges, and lessons learned. Ghana was among 44 countries that presented their Voluntary National Review report at High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2022 under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The engagement aimed to identify transformative priorities to help achieve the SDGs, provide an opportunity to present and discuss the findings from the review process, and highlight the extent of the implementation of SDGs. The engagement included stakeholders who are implementing, monitoring and evaluating the SDGs and the public to encourage their involvement. It also provided member countries with the opportunity to create partnerships across the globe to assist in the implementation of the goals. During the engagement, the NDPC recognized People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) as a crucial stakeholder and included them in most of its activities. However, Mohammed Iddrisu, the president of Ghana’s federation of disability association and a sign language expert, lamented over the government’s inability to employ most PWDs to achieve the goal eight (8) of the SDGs, which talks about decent work and economic growth.
Mohammed also called on the government and all other stakeholders to put up disability-friendly structures at both public and private institutions to provide equal opportunities and treatment for PWDs in the country. The two days deliberations saw participants being taken through the aspirations of Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want in 2063,” and its flagship projects that include the development of all sectors.
