Forum calls for national data system - To ensure implementation of SDGs
Speakers at a public forum in Accra have asked for an efficient national data system and coherent national policies that will ensure the effective implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
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In separate statements, they called for inter-sectorial collaboration and multifaceted approach to mainstream the SDGs into the country’s democratic framework.
The forum was organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to commemorate the first anniversary of the commencement of processes to mainstream SDGs into the long-term national development policy.
The forum drew participants from state agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and a section of the public.
On September 25, 2015, United Nations (UN) member states adopted a set of 17 goals with the aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each of the goals has specific targets to be achieved over a 15-year period, beginning 2015 to 2030.
Some of the SDGs include ending poverty of all forms, ending hunger and achieving food security, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Challenges
The Deputy Director in charge of the Environmental Policy and Planning (EPP) at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Felix Addo-Yobo, said a key challenge to the full implementation of the SDGs in the country was the quality of data.
He, however, observed that out of the total of 113 SDG indicators that Ghana had the potential to report on, data on 63 of such indicators could be obtained through administrative sources, a situation he said could be leveraged by exploring the possibility to source data from the private sector and CSOs.
“A holistic means of sourcing data ought to be explored to enhance effective reporting on SDGs. There is the need for the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and the NDPC to strengthen their collaboration, while efforts must be made to include non-state actors,” the director further stated.
Stakeholder involvement
The SDGs Ambassador in Ghana, Professor Kwame Karikari, noted that the involvement of all stakeholders, especially political leaders, was key to the search for innovative ways to implement and achieve the SDG targets.
In that regard, he called on political parties to design their manifestoes and policies to include measures to mainstream SDGs into the national development process.
“The party that will win the 2016 election must make it a top priority, while opposition parties ought to also use the SDGs as a yardstick to demand accountability from the ruling party,” the ambassador suggested.
Prof. Karikari opined that for awareness creation and education on the SDGs to be effective, there was the need to translate the messages into local languages.
Collaboration
The UN Resident Coordinator for the SDGs, Ms Christine Evans-Klock, called for collaboration between local and international agencies to facilitate processes to successfully implement the SDGs.
She said there was the need for increased advocacy, accountability and transparency in resource management in order to achieve the SDG targets, adding that metropolitan municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) ought to be resourced to implement policies at the local level.
