(2nd right) Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana and other Government officials
The United Nations in Ghana and the Government of Ghana have signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) agreement.
The Cooperation Framework is the most important instrument for planning and implementation of UN development activities in Ghana, and will span a period of three years starting from 2023 to 2025.
The signing ceremony between the UN in Ghana and the Ministry of Finance, which took place in Accra on Friday April 28, was attended by the UN Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Heads of Agencies.
The framework will deploy an estimated US$500 million over the period around three key pillars of work – Inclusive Economic Transformation, Equitable Access to Services and Durable Peace. It will also integrate 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 to strengthening accountability.
Thought-through
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Charles Abani, said the process of developing this framework had been deeply participatory, inclusive and comprehensive, involving key government partners, the private sector, civil society and non-governmental organisations, youth groups and other key stakeholders.
“We are grateful to all these groups, and more importantly to the Government of Ghana for walking with us throughout the process and to help us align our priorities with those of the Government and peoples of Ghana,” Mr Abani stated.
He said the signed Cooperation Framework between the Government of Ghana and the United Nations would signal a new chapter of renewed and strengthened cooperation and partnership between the Government of Ghana and the United Nations Development System, involving work by 21 resident UN agencies and a host of externally-based UN entities in addition.
Bilateral partnership
A Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, noted that the signing of the Cooperation Framework between the Government of Ghana and the United Nations will signal a new chapter of renewed and strengthened cooperation.
“Let me use this opportunity to express Government’s gratitude to the UN and all Development Partners for your continued support as we work towards getting back on a Sustainable Economic Path,” he said.
The signing of this Cooperation Framework, he pointed out, a total grant envelope of US$517million, adding that “it reaffirms a continuation of our strategic partnership with the UN to contribute to the achievements of global and regional commitments under the 2030 and 2063 Agendas.
Over the next three years, he noted, it will cover the areas of inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic growth and transformation; accessible, equitable, inclusive, sustainable quality basic social services; and durable peace and security in Ghana and the sub-region.
Dr. Amin Adam further reiterated the relationship and cooperation between Ghana and the United Nations, stressing that “it is critical to the well-being of Ghanaians”.
“I am confident that with our concerted efforts, this Cooperation Framework Agreement that we are about to sign will deliver the benefits it promises,” he added.
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