Children are major actors in achieving the SDGs

By Samuel Akumatey, GNA

Ho, May 30, GNA – Mr. Israel Akroborto, Volta
Regional Director of the Children's Department, said more work needed to be done.
done on child protection to achieve the goals related to the child in the
Development Objectives (SDGs).

He noted that almost all of the SDGs were children
linked, but little has been done on the protection of children and called for
concerted efforts for the well-being of children.

Mr. Akroborto said this at a forum in Ho
validate the Ghana National Voluntary Examination Report (VNR) on the
implementation of the SDGs.

"We have to bring children on board to
reaching the SDGs … Children are major players and can not be left behind, "he said.

Mr. Akroborto stated that the children were at the
the end of poverty and that stakeholders must take into account national policies
on the protection of children in efforts to achieve the SDGs.

Mr Nelson Akorli, Ho's municipal leader
Executive, said that the work of the leaders should respond to the aspirations of the
people, adding that it would contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The forum was convened by the African Peers Committee
Review Mechanism (APRM) with the facilitation of the National Commission for
Civic Education to solicit feedback on the report before it is presented to
President.

Ghana has registered for the VNR this year with
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should present the report to the UN
General Assembly July 17th.

Ms. Winifred Asare, Main Programs
Responsible for the ARPM, said that the absence of political structures and the lack of
coordination of activities has affected the country's ability to reach the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

She added that the MDGs were not integrated either.
development policies, and that the government has committed to ensuring that
the SDGs have not experienced the same fate.

Ms. Asare said that the implementation
The Coordinating Committee for the SDGs would build on existing foundations
the ARPM and NCCE infrastructure to improve the NRV by accessing the
progress of the different objectives.

She said the validation forum would help
determine how the country was meeting the objectives of achieving the objectives
progress.

The majority of forum participants noted
that poverty is increasing and calls for an improvement in the functioning of
the national health insurance scheme and the need for education to target skills
development.

GNA