The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has engaged the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Assembly (AAMA) and key stakeholders to advance the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the municipality. The initiative aims to tailor global SDG targets to local priorities, ensuring inclusive progress.
In his welcome address, Municipal Coordinating Director Mr. Joseph Tang thanked the NDPC and UNICEF for selecting Atebubu-Amantin as one of five districts nationwide to participate in a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the SDGs. He emphasized that this effort would make the goals more relevant to grassroots communities.
Mr. Philip Acheampong of the NDPC, speaking on behalf of the Director General, defined localization as adapting SDG implementation to local contexts by setting achievable targets, determining implementation strategies, and establishing progress indicators. He underscored the pivotal role of local authorities in ensuring no one is left behind, noting that all 17 SDGs align with their mandates.
Madam Rebecca Kumi, Child Rights Monitoring Specialist at UNICEF, highlighted the VLR as a strategic tool for assessing SDG progress based on local realities. “The success of the 2030 Agenda hinges not just on national commitments but on translating them into tangible local actions,” she stated.
Ms. Vera Baffoe of the NDPC added that the VLR, launched in 2019, accelerates SDG attainment by focusing on five pillars: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships. She noted that six goals target prosperity, while four each address economic and environmental priorities.
Mr. Emmanuel Bukari, a member of the district VLR team, presented collected data to benchmark the municipality’s SDG achievements. The session fostered collaborative discussions among government departments, political parties, traditional leaders, civil society, and media representatives on strategies to meet the 2030 deadline.
The engagement reaffirmed the collective commitment to equitable development, with stakeholders pledging to integrate SDGs into local planning.
