Ghana launches 2022 Voluntary National Review Report

The report, the second since 2019, is under the leadership of the National Development Planning Commission.  It was prepared through a collaborative process which involved the UN, development partners, civil society, private sector, the youth and other relevant stakeholders. The launch of the 2022 report was held on 19 August 2022.

In a statement, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, described the report as “an invaluable snapshot of major SDGs progress, challenges, lessons learned, and identifies catalytic and transformative priorities and ways to enable and accelerate SDGs achievement, especially in the context of resource constraints occasioned by serial shocks such as COVID-19 and current ongoing conflicts.”

He added that the United Nations is committed to firmly support the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders in taking forward the recommendations, pledging that the key learnings and opportunities arising from the 2022 VNR would be incorporated in the next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNDSDCF). This he said would ensure the Cooperation Framework, which is yet to be finalized, reflects the Government’s expectations of the UN and drives the priorities of the UN Country Team.

In a speech read on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by the Chair of the NDPC, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour, the president reiterated government’s commitment to take smart and bold decisions necessary to ensure inclusive sustainable development in Ghana despite the economic and geo-political challenges being faced. He added that the government would also strengthen its relationship with international partners, as well as traditional and religious leaders to build a safer, more resilient and prosperous society for current and future generations.

An exhibition was organized as a side event to showcase innovative examples of initiatives that have been implemented in Ghana to support the implementation of the SDGs. The UN in Ghana exhibited contributions from the various UN entities including reports, videos, newsletters, posters, studies, testimonials and other products. The exhibition stand was visited by delegates at the event – government officials, civil society actors, students among others – who interacted with UN staff and learnt about the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals.