Putting people at the center of development to achieve the SDGs

Notice of Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Journalist: Praise be to Nutakor

02/16/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a threat to human security. It highlighted the shortcomings of the health, economic and social systems of many societies. The pandemic has also led to a global economic crisis that is resulting in mass unemployment, economic recession, disrupted supply chains, and food and resource insecurity. The financial and psychological burden of breadwinners has increased gender inequalities, vulnerabilities and abuse.

Today’s world is gradually becoming more and more uncertain with new threats to human security on many fronts. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic reversed past development gains and undermined prospects for peace and stability. These challenges, if not addressed, could prevent many countries from achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

With nine years remaining to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it has become imperative to accelerate a people-centered recovery from COVID-19 that both protects and empowers, leaving no one behind. It is with this in mind that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) continues to engage its partners to rebuild together stronger to get back on track with the SDGs.

In Ghana, UNDP is mobilizing partnerships with all stakeholders to accelerate a green and resilient response to COVID-19 towards the achievement of the SDGs. Working closely with the United Nations system and government, UNDP’s COVID-19 responses focus on three pillars: supporting health systems, promoting inclusive communication and risk, and addressing socio-economic impacts.

UNDP also continues to work with its partners on various development initiatives to address threats to human progress while advancing policies and actions related to climate change and environmental sustainability, peace and governance. democratic and inclusive development.

For example, in the area of ​​peace and governance, the Government of Japan has been a strong partner of UNDP and the Government of Ghana. Building on similar interventions in the past, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) in partnership with UNDP and with funding from the Government of Japan, launched a project last year to develop the technical capacity of those responsible for fighting maritime crime in Côte d ‘Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. By improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea region, communities along the coast that depend on marine resources will benefit from improved livelihoods. Countries will also benefit from increased trade while closing the security gaps exploited by extremist groups. This year, Japan and UNDP are also carrying out additional activities to improve the capacity of state institutions and civil society to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism in West African coastal states.

In health, through the Access and Delivery Partnership, UNDP, along with its partners and with funding from Japan, are working to ensure that life-saving health technologies reach many communities across the country. Ghana.

For example, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) seeks to eradicate neglected tropical diseases like yaws in the country through massive drug administration. Through existing partnerships, UNDP and Japan are supporting a COVID-19 initiative to strengthen community health systems for continued use of essential health services by vulnerable people during the pandemic.

The ambitious sustainable development goals can best be achieved through partnerships and multilateralism. Together, the world can advance human security in all its dimensions, advance and protect human development, to ensure a better future for all and the planet.