Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has affirmed government’s unwavering commitment to Agenda 2023, regardless of the present economic circumstances.
He made this known during the launch of the 2022 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Budget Report, which revealed a significant boost in funds allocated for crucial sectors, underscoring Ghana’s determination to stay on track towards attaining the 2030 agenda.
In the forward of the 2022 SDGs Budget Report, the Minister of Finance said: “While the road to recovery may be challenging, it also presents us with an opportunity to reimagine our future and build back better. Our commitment to the SDGs remains resolute, and the 2022 Budget and Expenditure Report demonstrates the measures we are taking to counter the effects of the global crisis and accelerate our progress.”
The 2022 SDGs Budget Report was launched by Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Amin Adam, on behalf of Mr Ken Ofori-Atta.
The fifth annual SDGs Budget Report shed light on the various strategic allocations for some designated sectors.
Agriculture, for instance, received a shot in the arm with an allocation of about GH¢514 million, aiming to fortify the sector’s productivity.
Meanwhile, the industry secured an allocation of about GH¢216.30 million, reflecting the government’s dedication to revitalizing the sector in the face of global supply chain disruptions.
Healthcare, gender equality, and education sectors also received increased funding, bolstering efforts to counteract the pandemic’s adverse effects on local economic well-being.
These allocations were not only indicative of Ghana’s commitment to the SDGs but also its determination to mitigate the far-reaching repercussions of the pandemic on its populace.
With the year 2022 marking the transition to the 2022-2025 Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF), Ghana is poised to achieve objectives and targets arising from the SDGs alongside other essential developmental strategies and frameworks.
Yet in his forward, Mr. Ofori-Atta emphasized that the government’s aim is not only to recover from the pandemic effects but also to “build forward better” through the Ghana CARES Programme.
The Ghana CARES Programme, designed as a direct response to the pandemic, collaborates with Development Partners to invigorate the economy’s productive sectors while safeguarding the vulnerable through multi-year flagship interventions.
Mr Ofori-Atta highlighted the importance of this approach, stating, “By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, we are leveraging the expertise, innovation, and resources of both to achieve transformative results.”
As the world grappled with the ongoing impact of COVID-19, including supply shortages leading to elevated costs of living, Ghana demonstrated its resilience against these global challenges. Despite the daunting circumstances, the country’s commitment to the SDGs remained steadfast, and the 2022 Budget and Expenditure Report laid out tangible steps to counteract the crisis and expedite progress.
The 2022 SDGs Budget Report offered a comprehensive overview of achievements, challenges, and proactive strategies put in place to address them. This document serves as a roadmap for the nation’s journey towards sustainability, solidifying the resolve to create a better future for all Ghanaians, with no one left behind.
The Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adams, who launched the document on behalf of the Finance Minister, highlighted that the SDGs Budget Report equipped the government and its partners with essential data to monitor progress across the diverse goals. This real-time monitoring allows for an assessment of the efficiency of financial resource utilization over time.
Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Eva Esselba Mends, implored Ghanaians to consider shared responsibilities and collective actions to attain the SDGs through collaboration, creativity, and positive change.
According to her, the report “goes beyond being a mere compilation of numbers and figures; it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating our nation’s resolve to shape a better future for all”.
Present at the launch of the report were Officials of the Ministry of Finance, representatives from UNICEF and the media.