Government must ensure the achievements of MDGs

Cape Coast, Oct. 01, GNA - A Communications Officer of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mr. Leonard Kobina Ackon, on Thursday said it was imperative for in-coming governments to continue with development projects and programmes they inherited, to prevent monies spent on such projects from going waste. He said successive governments needed to set politics aside from issues concerning development in order not to add to the already volatile poverty situation in the country, which currently stood at 28.5 per cent.

Mr Ackon, also with the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), a non governmental organisation, made the call at a day's workshop to sensitize civil society organizations and individuals in the Central Region on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Cape Coast. It was a prelude to the celebration of the 'International Day for the Eradication of Poverty' which falls on October 16, on the theme; "Stand Up, Take Action to End Poverty Now."

He pointed out that since the government of Ghana had signed the MDGs declarations, it behoved on it to ensure they were achieved and asked Ghanaians to hold the government accountable. Mr Ackon said stakeholders must also play their parts towards the achievement of the goals to facilitate the eradication of poverty and ensure better living conditions for all.

He said government's plans and policies should reflect the eight broad goals captured under the MDGs such as the eradication of poverty, creation of decent jobs, promotion of gender equality, reduction of child and maternal mortality and the achievement of universal primary education for all children.

Ms Kyerewa Asamoah, Programmes Officer of the GCAP, said the participants, who were the "strategic voices" in their areas, were expected to sensitize people on the ideals of the MDGs and the roles they were expected to play towards their achievement. Among concerns raised by the participants are the high rate of maternal mortality, malnutrition among children, lack of toilet facilities in some homes, low female representation in higher positions and the "worrying" conditions attached to loans granted by the World Bank and other development partners.