This position places a responsibility on the Government, civil society organisations (CSOs), private sector and citizens of Ghana to ensure that the country achieves this set of ambitious goals and targets.
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Consequently, Government has taken several initiatives to ensure effective implementation of the global agenda. For example, as part of efforts to encourage a multi-stakeholder partnership on the SDGs, Government of Ghana has made civil society an integral part of the SDGs implementation processes and structures.
Efforts to coordinate the SDGs have so far not included the private sector. Much as a good model has been carved for government-civil society engagement, the same cannot be said for the government-private sector engagement. Having a well-coordinated collaborative framework between government, private sector and civil society is critical for attaining successful implementation of the SDGs. There is a need to create a structure that includes all stakeholders in a more coordinated and collaborative manner.
The conference received huge attendance from some big private sector players like Unilever Ghana, Melcom Group of Companies, Vodafone Ghana and Private Enterprise Federation as well as Deliotte.
Nana Osie-Bonsu, CEO, Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), in his opening remarks said the SDGs is just the template of what every country or government seeks to address. "If you look at the SDGs there is nothing new which the citizens are looking for so we at the private sector welcome the message of the SDGs". Nana then noted that, economic conditions under which private businesses operate must be critically looked at, for instance, certain policies that make business unattractive must be reviewed. He made it clear that the private sector is ready to engage the government and the CSOs especially the CSO Platfrom on SDGs in Ghana to look at the available opportunities in the SDGs. "There are opportunities for all of us but what is needed is the efficient partnership for all of us to have a voice in what is to be done to sustain efforts towards the attainment of the SDGs" he stated.
Mr Charles Larbi-Odam, Country Managing Executive, Deloitte mentioned the importance of the SDGs to the future of our world and stated that Deliotte believes the SDGs are not just for governments and CSOs but also the private sector. He also strongly mentioned that, businesses have the capacity to make huge impact on the SDGs implementation processes. "The SDGs is not just good for humanity but also good for businesses" he added. Mr Larbi-Odam said, few businesses link their aspirations to the 2030 agenda just because the agenda has become a choice. "I welcome you all to this meeting and at the end encourage all parties to align your works with the SDGs because the SDGs is a good choice, it is good for business and for the world", he ended.
A speech by His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, President of Ghana, read on his behalf by Dr Eugene Owusu, Special Adviser to the President on the SDGs, SDGs Advisory Unit, Office of the President, mentioned that, Ghana has succeeded in integrating the SDGs into its development programs and also set up a high level ministerial committee on the SDGs which demonstrate the level of commitment to meet the various targets of the SDGs by 2030. H.E President Nana Addo in his speech outlined 5 key issues he considers important:
1. Taking bold ambitions through innovative ideas in achieving the goals.
2. Not looking to external support to implement the goals
3. Focusing on the demand side – notably creating greater public awareness for citizens to hold leaders accountable
4. Promote private sector involvement
5. Fully utilize the potentials of women.
He ended that, "Partnering and investing in the SDGs is a good economics and partnering and investing in the SDGs is good for politics"
Author : Clifford
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