“Let’s work together to achieve the SDGs and help build the Ghana that we want for ourselves and then also for future generations,” Dr Addo-Yobo stated in his presentation at the launch of Ghana’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) process on the implementation of the SDGs.

SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The Ghana VNR process on the implementation of the SDGs, was formally launched by Professor George Gyan-Baffour, the Planning Minister.

Dr Addo-Yobo noted that the primary objective of the VNR was to facilitate the sharing of experiences and mutual learning, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the SDGs.

He said the VNR would track progress in implementing the 17 goals of the SDGs.

He said the key VNR principles were maintaining a longer-term orientation, identifying achievements, challenges, gaps and critical success factors and support for countries in making informed policy choices.

Others are people -centred, gender-sensitive, respect human rights and having a particular focus on the poorest, most vulnerable and those further behind.He said they would be building on existing platforms and processes, where these exist, and void duplication.

On Ghana’s VNR process, Dr Addo-Yobo mentioned dissemination; approval and endorsement; report preparation and validation; thematic consultation and awareness creation; data collection and case studies.

He said Ghana’s VNR would focus on policy and regulatory environment for SDGs and the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030. The rest are progress implementation of all 17 SDGs, while the thematic reviews would cover Youth engagement in SDGs; leaving no one behind and synergies across the goals.

Dr Addo-Yobo aslo appealed to civil society organisations (CSOs) to involve Government in the drafting of their shadow VNR report; just as Government did involve the CSOs in coming out with its VNR report.

As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development encourages member states to “conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven”.

These national reviews are expected to serve as a basis for the regular reviews by the high-level political forum (HLPF). From July 9-18, 51 countries including Ghana, would present their VNRs at the 2019 HLPF.

Since 2016, 102 countries have conducted VNRs; however, the first Heads of Government-Level Review of the SDGs is slated for September this year. The review will assess the institutional arrangement and enabling environment for implementing the SDGs; and the progress of implementation across all 17 SDGs, including innovations and successful initiatives.

The rest are cross-cutting themes of “Leaving no one behind”, “Youth engagement in the SDGs” and “synergies across the goals”.