Over GHS65 billion was spent by the government on working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in 2019 and 2020. This is according to the Finance Ministry’s SDGs 2020 report.

“Total spending on the SDGs by the government through MDAs came to GHS31,448,312,790 in 2019 and GHS35,774,648,335 in 2020,” said the sector Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta at a virtual event to launch the report.

The Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern and Eastern regions received the highest amount of funding for SDG projects, during the years in question.

The report also indicated that SDG 17, Partnership for the Goals, has the most funding allocated to it – GHS32,082,685,522 in 2019 and GHS34,877,466,156 in 2020.
“Meanwhile Goal 5 – Gender Equality – received 26,191,056 in 2019 and 65,012,082 in 2020, the least to be allocated to a goal at the national level,” Mr. Ofori-Atta added.

Ken Ofori-Atta also reiterated the government’s commitment to partnering all other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the goals by 2030.

“Having the opportunity to view our spending on the SDGs in such an organized transparent manner, annually, enables government, private sector, developing partners and our civil society partners to engage in a more constructive manner when it comes to the financing of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

On January 1 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit — officially came into force.

But attaining the SDGs continues to be a priority for countries across the globe, despite the unique challenges each of these countries is saddled with.

The government of Ghana has, over time, asserted that the country is making steady progress in achieving the goals before the 2030 deadline.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he is fully committed to making Ghana a shining example in the implementation of the Agenda.

He has indicated that his government is pursuing the implementation of the SDGs with a strong sense of urgency, and an unparalleled commitment to act immediately.