President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday officially launched Ghana’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report on the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marking a critical milestone in the country’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The comprehensive report assesses Ghana’s progress across all 17 SDGs, highlighting key initiatives, achievements, challenges, and opportunities for accelerated action.
In his address, President Mahama noted Ghana’s steady economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, with GDP growth increasing from 0.5 percent in 2020 to 5.7 percent in 2024, driven primarily by the industry and services sectors. “Economic growth in recent years has demonstrated the strength of Ghana’s institutions and the enduring spirit of its people,” the President stated. He further highlighted macroeconomic stability gains, noting that inflation continues to decline while the cedi has appreciated significantly against the US dollar in the first half of 2025,
contributing to a more stable macroeconomic environment that supports business activity and
household welfare.
Despite economic progress, President Mahama acknowledged significant social challenges that require urgent attention. He expressed concern over Ghana’s multidimensional poverty rate of 41.3 percent, particularly affecting rural and northern regions. High youth unemployment and limited economic diversification remain critical vulnerabilities, with the country’s dependence on a narrow export base leaving it exposed to external shocks.
On healthcare, the President described Ghana’s maternal mortality rate—exceeding 300 deaths per 100,000 live births—as a “silent emergency.” The rate remains more than four times higher than the SDG target, prompting calls for urgent improvements in antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and access to maternal health services, especially in underserved communities. President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating SDG progress through the “Big Push” initiative, which seeks to mobilize over US$10 billion for large-scale infrastructure development. He emphasized that such investments must generate decent jobs for Ghanaians, enhance local capacity, and support sustainable economic transformation.
The President also commended the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) for its
thorough coordination and compilation of the report. He stressed the need to further disaggregate the findings to make data more accessible and actionable for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), ensuring that local development priorities align with national goals.
Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs and Chairman of NDPC provided a detailed overview of the VNR. He called for sustained efforts to build on existing gains while urging immediate action to tackle pressing challenges in healthcare, sanitation, and gender inequality.
Dr. Thompson commended President Mahama for his leadership and expressed optimism that Ghana would act decisively on the report’s recommendations. The launch event brought together key stakeholders committed to Ghana’s sustainable development agenda. Representatives from the United Nations, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), the Ghana Civil Society Organisations Platform on the SDGs, and the Private Enterprise Federation delivered solidarity messages, reaffirming their continued support for the country’s SDG implementation efforts.