Advertisement

Be strong advocates of SDGs — Dr Owusu advises children
Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs, Dr Eugene Owusu

Be strong advocates of SDGs — Dr Owusu advises children

Children around the world have been called upon to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and embrace them in order to become strong advocates for the implementation of the goals.

This is because the SDGs represent the needs of children today and the future, and so their getting involved will make the goals come true in their communities and also help them attain a better future for themselves.

The Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs, Dr Eugene Owusu, who made the call in an interview, noted that children could be strong advocates of the SDGs by talking about and creating awareness of the goals.

“They can also hold leaders accountable, both at the local and the national levels, for action on issues that affect them directly to be addressed,” he added. 

He also said it was important for children to know about the goals for their peace and security, as the goals would help build a better world for them today and tomorrow. 

He pointed out that the world of tomorrow belonged to children and so they had the greatest stake in the SDGs which spoke directly into their welfare, as well as their well-being, now and the future.

Dr Owusu said all the goals were very important, but there were a few that had important implications for children and, therefore, they had to be aware of those in their advocacy, adding that food security was one of them.

“We become who we are because of the quality of food and nutrition. We also know that in today’s world, there are large numbers of children who go to bed hungry, so it is absolutely important for children to have food security,” he pointed out.

The provision of good health and well-being, as well as quality education, for children, he noted, was also key to ensuring that children were healthy and educated in order for them to realise their full potential.

“SDG 6 talks about the importance of having clean water and good sanitation, since the absence of these in communities has a negative impact on the well-being and health of children,” he said.

Explaining the role his office played, Dr Owusu said the SDGs Advisory Unit is at the Office of the President, and that in 2017,

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was appointed co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates for the SDGs.

The group, he said, was made up of 17 very distinguished global citizens from academia, business, entertainment, sports, governments and royalty.

He pointed out that his outfit supported the President in his role as co-Chair in initiating, among others, specific partnerships with institutions, such as the one it has with the Graphic Communications Group Limited on the Junior Graphic National Essay Competition.

The competition is organised for children to understand the SDGs better and also help them write good essays.

The SDGs provide the blueprint for all countries to build a world that is prosperous, peaceful, healthy and free from poverty.

They can be achieved through cooperation among governments, world leaders and all citizens.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to transform our world:
GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequalities
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life Below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goals

 

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |