Ghana and the United Nations (UN) have signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2025 to support the country’s economic resilience and transformation agenda.
Under the agreement, the UN would disburse US$517 million for the following pillars: Inclusive Economic Transformation, Equitable Access to Services and Durable Peace.
It integrates work on key issues such as financing, the environment and climate, digitalization, urbanization, data for decision-making and strengthened partnerships across all pillars.
It also outlines the UN development system’s integrated contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along with a commitment to leaving no one behind, a human rights-based approach to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and to building resilience, sustainability and strengthening accountability.
The Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, in a speech read for him welcomed initiatives of the UN system on SDGs financing in areas such as the Integrated National Financing Frameworks.
He indicated that the government was aware of the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) on the domestic financial sector, adding that steps were being taken to mitigate the impact of the DDEP on the financial sector by establishing the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, to among other things, provide solvency and liquidity support to eligible financial sector institutions which may be affected by the DDEP.
On his part, the UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Mr.
Charles Abani noted that the development of the framework was participatory, inclusive and comprehensive, involving key government partners, the private sector, civil society and non-governmental organizations, youth groups and other stakeholders.
“The implementation of this cooperation framework will be guided by and be accountable to a UN-Government Joint Steering Committee co-chaired by the Minister for Finance and UN Resident Coordinator. The steering committee will ensure national ownership and monitor progress, challenges and opportunities,” he added.
He indicated that the agreement shows the UN’s commitment to standing with Ghana as the country aims to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
