<<Print>>

Concept Note
Multi Stakeholder Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Theme: ‘Opportunities in Sustainable Development through Strategic Partnerships'
Special Guest of Honour: H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo


In 2015, Member States of the United Nations adopted an ambitious plan to eradicate poverty, fight hunger, tackle climate change and save the planet from environmental degradation. This global agenda, according to the UN, is a plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, and peace. All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, are to implement this plan.

In 2015, the Government of Ghana committed to implementing the 17 Goals, together with its 169 targets. In January 2016, Ghana's commitment saw the appointment of then President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, together with the Prime Minister of Norway, Ms Erna Solberg, as Co-Chairs of a group of 17 eminent SDGs Advocates to support the UN Secretary-General in his efforts to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The SDGs were formally launched in Ghana in February 2016.

On assumption of office the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was appointed as Co-Chair of the Eminent Advocates on the SDGs. This position places a responsibility on the Government, civil society organisations (CSOs), private sector and citizens of Ghana to ensure that the country achieves this set of ambitious goals and targets. Consequently, Government has taken several initiatives to ensure effective implementation of the global agenda.

For example, as part of efforts to encourage a multi-stakeholder partnership on the SDGs, Government has made civil society an integral part of the SDGs implementation processes and structures. A Ghana National Civil Society Platform on the SDGs was launched in 2015 to ensure a more collaborative and coordinated approach to engaging CSOs on the SDGs. The CSO Platform is represented within the various government structures i.e. the Implementation Coordinating Committee (ICC); the Data Roadmap Advisory Committee and the National Technical Committee (NTC). The NTC is charged with the responsibility of implementing the SDGs, Agenda 2063 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  

Efforts to coordinate the SDGs have so far not formally included the private sector. Much as a good model has been carved for government-civil society engagement, the same is yet to be said for the government-private sector engagement. A well-coordinated collaborative framework between government, private sector and civil society is critical for attaining successful implementation of the SDGs. There is a need to include private sector representation within the SDG implementation and monitoring structures, in order to include all stakeholders in a more coordinated and collaborative manner.

To this end, the CSO Platform on SDGs in collaboration with Deloitte, the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), under the auspices of the Office of the President, is working to create a multi-stakeholder platform for effective coordination of activities relating to the SDGs. The first step to this plan is a Multi-Stakeholder Conference on the theme: ‘Opportunities in sustainable development through strategic partnerships'.

 
According to Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, Chair of the Business and Sustainable Development Commission: “Development activities of civil society and the public sector on the SDGs are critical but not sufficient. Development should be central to business activity because it eventually leads to sustainable profits.”

 
This conference will provide an opportunity for the private sector to explore opportunities for business and strategic partnerships that will contribute towards growth and ensure prosperity for the nation.  

 
Ghana's processes of implementing the SDGs in the region have been exemplary in several aspects. Speaking at the commemoration of the appointment of President Nana Addo as the Co-chair of Eminent Advocates on SDGs, the Minister for Planning, Hon. Gyan Baffour, noted that other countries look to Ghana to see how well the country's institutions will assume their role in achieving the SDGs. A multi-stakeholder conference, therefore, is an additional opportunity to showcase, ahead of the planned Summit of African Union Heads of States, Ghana's efforts in championing innovative approaches towards achieving the SDGs. The conference will further stimulate conversations on domestic resource mobilisation for the SDGs, reflecting also on the President's vision of a “Ghana beyond aid”.

 
Overall Goal of the Conference:

The overall goal of the conference is to provide a platform for dialogue on multi-stakeholder mobilisation and engagement on SDGs implementation in Ghana.

 
Objectives:

1.Advocate for effective multi-stakeholder partnerships for Ghana's achievement of Agenda 2030;

2.Explore business opportunities and challenges for the private sector in the implementation of the SDGs;

3.Identify opportunities for complementing Government efforts towards domestic resource mobilisation for SDGs implementation; and

4.Develop a framework/roadmap for multi-stakeholder partnership on SDG implementation.