Ghana’s urgent drive to meet SDG targets amidst rapid population growth
By Daniel NONOR, Accra
As the clock ticks towards the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ghana finds itself at a critical juncture.
At the mid-point of the SDG implementation timeline, alarming progress reports reveal that only 4 percent of the goals are on track to be achieved by Africa.
This sobering reality was underscored by Dr. Eugene Owusu, Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs, during a recent media engagement ahead of the SDGs Action Summit 2024 in Accra.
The SDGs, established by the United Nations in 2015, comprise 17 interconnected goals aimed at addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
These goals are a call to action for all countries to work towards a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030. They include ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, achieving gender equality, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy, and taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, among others.
Dr. Owusu warned that without accelerated and coordinated efforts, the continent risks missing key SDG targets.
A 2022 joint report by the African Union Commission, the UN Development Programme, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) concluded that without quicker progress, at least 492 million people in Africa will remain in extreme poverty by 2030.
“The slow progress on many of the goals and targets leaves the fate of millions of Africans and the fate of the planet in dire straits,” Dr. Owusu stated.
He cited challenges such as climate change, ongoing conflicts, lingering effects of COVID-19, policy failures, and a skewed global governance structure as significant threats to progress. These multifaceted challenges are reinforcing deprivation across the continent, exacerbating poverty, fueling instability, widening inequalities, and sharply contributing to the deteriorating health of our planet.
Climate change, in particular, has been a significant hurdle. With rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and increasing natural disasters, Africa, and Ghana specifically, face severe impacts on agriculture, water resources, and health. These effects further strain the ability to achieve SDGs such as zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, and good health and well-being.
Ongoing conflicts and political instability in various regions also divert attention and resources away from development goals, creating an environment where progress is stalled.
The lingering effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt across the continent, disrupting economies, healthcare systems, and education.
The pandemic has set back years of progress in reducing poverty and improving health and education outcomes. Policy failures, both at the national and international levels, have also played a role.
Inconsistent or inadequate policies on economic growth, social protection, and environmental sustainability have hindered progress towards achieving the SDGs.
Moreover, the skewed global governance structure often leaves African countries at a disadvantage.
Inequities in trade, finance, and technology access mean that African nations, including Ghana, do not always receive the support they need to achieve the SDGs.
This global imbalance exacerbates existing challenges and creates new barriers to progress.These challenges are compounded by Ghana’s rapidly growing population.
A recent projections by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicate that Ghana’s population is set to experience substantial growth in the coming decades, with significant implications for urban planning, infrastructure, and social services.
By the end of 2024, Ghana’s population is projected to reach 33,007,618, a 1.07-fold increase from the 2021 population of 30,832,019. By 2050, the population is anticipated to soar to 52,465,316.
This explosive growth, particularly among the youth and workforce, underscores the urgency of accelerating SDG implementation.
The youth population (aged 15 to 24) is set to increase by 6,662,229 individuals, reaching 6.92 million by 2030.
Similarly, the workforce, defined as individuals aged 15 to 59, is projected to grow significantly, from 17.95 million in 2021 to 22.12 million by 2030.
This expansion necessitates robust job creation and skills development to harness the potential of this demographic.
The rapid population growth presents both opportunities and challenges.
On one hand, a larger, younger population can drive economic growth and innovation if adequately educated and employed. On the other hand, it places immense pressure on existing infrastructure, social services, and the environment.
Without strategic planning and investment, the burgeoning population could lead to increased unemployment, inadequate housing, strained healthcare systems, and environmental degradation.
The anticipated population boom also has significant implications for urbanization.
The Greater Accra and Ashanti regions are expected to see their populations surpass 7.5 million each by 2050.
In contrast, the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions are predicted to experience the highest growth rates, with their populations expected to double by 2050.
This rapid growth will likely place increased pressure on infrastructure and services in these areas.
Urbanization trends indicate that population pressure on Greater Accra will intensify by 2030, driven by migration and urbanization.
As of 2021, nine of the 16 regions had more than 50 percent of their populations living in rural areas. By 2030, seven regions are projected to remain predominantly rural, suggesting a continued urban-rural divide.
This division requires targeted policies to ensure balanced development and prevent the exacerbation of inequalities.
To address these challenges, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo unveiled a comprehensive Four-Point Agenda during his address at the SDGs Action Summit 2024.
His plan includes unlocking financing for accelerated SDG implementation by enhancing domestic resource mobilization, leveraging public-private partnerships, and advocating for global financial reforms; prioritizing human capital development by increasing access to quality education and vocational training; driving innovation in critical sectors through financial integration and renewable energy technologies; and building resilient infrastructure to withstand global shocks and stresses.
Unlocking financing for accelerated SDG implementation is a critical first step. President Akufo-Addo highlighted Africa’s unwavering commitment to the SDGs but acknowledged the persistent financing gap.
Citing estimates from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), he revealed that Africa requires an additional $1.3 trillion annually to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Enhanced domestic resource mobilization through improved tax collection systems, combating illicit financial flows, and promoting transparency in public financial management are essential.
Illicit financial flows cost Africa an estimated $90 billion annually, resources that could be invested in achieving the SDGs.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are also vital in bridging the financing gap. Creating an enabling environment through smart policies to attract private capital for critical infrastructure projects, healthcare, education, and renewable energy initiatives is crucial.
Leveraging blended finance approaches to attract private capital to areas yielding both developmental and financial returns can significantly boost progress.
Advocating for a paradigm shift in the global financial architecture is another key component.
President Akufo-Addo called for comprehensive debt relief for heavily indebted countries to restore fiscal stability and free up resources for sustainable development investments.
Transparent and responsible lending practices are necessary to support long-term development goals.
Prioritizing human capital development is the second pillar of the agenda.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized Africa’s unique position, with 60% of its population under the age of 25, and the need to invest strategically in youth.
Increasing access to quality education, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, and promoting arts and humanities to boost critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills are essential. Vocational training and skill development to equip young people with practical skills needed in various sectors are crucial.
Partnerships with the private sector can ensure the relevance of training programs and job opportunities. Promoting innovation and self-reliance through entrepreneurship, citing Ghana’s National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) as a successful example, is vital for sustainable development.
Driving innovation in critical sectors of Africa’s economy forms the third point of the agenda.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the potential of financial integration across borders and renewable energy technologies to scale up and accelerate SDGs action.
Financial integration can facilitate seamless capital flows, broader market access, and increased financial services for communities, promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
Leveraging Africa’s abundant natural resources for renewable energy technologies is also essential.
Successful initiatives like Rwanda’s off-grid solar projects and Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex demonstrate Africa’s leadership in renewable energy innovation.
Building resilient infrastructure to withstand global shocks and stresses is the fourth pillar of the agenda.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, calling for the development of reliable infrastructure to support diverse economic activities.
Providing smart insurance schemes for financial protection to vulnerable communities and businesses is also crucial. Developing infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, economic fluctuations, and other global stresses will ensure long-term stability and growth.
Charles Abani, UN resident coordinator in Ghana, lauded Ghana’s progress so far in achieving the SDGs and pledged the UN’s continued support.
He emphasized the need for sustainable finance mechanisms and the importance of addressing actions across various sectors in an integrated manner.
He noted that effective energy systems enable businesses to thrive and that Ghana is prepared for the future with its innovative education priorities and climate initiatives.
Abani highlighted that it is easy to view the 17 SDGs in silos, yet many actions needed to achieve these goals do not fit neatly into these silos.
For instance, food systems encompass nutrition, agriculture, employment, and social protection.
Effective energy systems enable businesses to thrive in production, value addition, and trade skills development for different sectors, ensuring that Ghana is prepared for the future.
He pointed out that Ghana is making significant progress and leading in many areas.
For example, at the Transforming Education Summit in 2022, Ghana
The urgency of action on the SDGs cannot be overstated. With the opportunities that the SDGs present, Ghana must leverage smart solutions, foster inclusive development, and build resilient systems to meet the 2030 targets and beyond.
