ISODEC rallies journalists for Action/2015 campaign

The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), has urged journalists to support the Action/2015 campaign and push governments to commit to the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) against poverty, inequality and climate change.

Governments could only achieve the ambition to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice and also fix climate change, if everyone knew about them, ISODEC stated.

ISODEC, therefore, called on journalists to let leaders feel the pressure of people around the world, to ensure smooth implementation.

Action/2015 is one of the world’s largest civil society campaigns made up of over 2,000 organisations, networks and coalitions from 150 countries calling on leaders to commit to put into action the Global Goals.

Mr Bernard Anaba, a policy analyst with ISODEC told journalists that it was time world leaders committed resources to realize the goals.

He called on millions of people around the world to unite and declare a common vision for a better life, and pressure leaders to deliver an equal, safe and secure future.

He said Ghana had cut down poverty rate from 51 per cent in the 90s to 24.2 per cent in 2015, a record comparable to other African countries.

By 2030, it is envisaged that people would be living in a better world that is more prosperous and equal, greener and cleaner.

But ISODEC says this can be achieved through robust policies to combat climate change and use of precious resources, like water and energy, more wisely.

The UN General Assembly is meeting from September 25 to 27, a move seen as another opportunity for world leaders to be more ambitious.

The SDGs will be adopted by more than 100 Heads of State, including President John Dramani Mahama.

Campaigners want leaders to walk the talk by having clear implementation plans, developed with the active participation of citizens, especially marginalized groups and local communities.

They must also ensure sufficient financial flows (domestic and international funding, meeting existing spending commitments, and tackling unfair tax systems) are made available to deliver all the goals in time.

Campaigners also urged leaders to monitor and communicate progress on implementing the goals, adding that parliaments, civil society organizations and existing human rights and reporting mechanisms should be central to the process.

“The Action/2015 is playing a role by building public pressure to help make sure this happens, Mrs Kyerewa Sekpey,” African Coordinator for Action/2015 Campaign stated.

“Our ambition is to get the goals to the people around the world after they are officially launched on September 25,” she said.

It is for this reason that ISODEC said through the Action/ 2015 banner had a dialogue with the media on the SDGs, to help monitor their implementation and progress.

The 17 development goals to be out-door during the UN General Assembly summit cover:

Goal One: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal Two: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Goal Three: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Goal Four: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal Five: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Goal Six: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Goal Seven: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Goal Eight: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Goal Nine: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development