Ghana Deepens Commitment to SDGs as 2023 Budget Report Shows Surge in Related Expenditure to GHS 180bn
Ghana has strengthened its commitment to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 with the release of the 2023 SDG Budget and Expenditure Report, a detailed accountability document tracking government allocations toward health, education, social protection, and human capital development.
The latest report, launched in Accra, shows a sharp rise in SDG-related expenditure from GH¢83 billion in 2022 to GH¢180 billion in 2023 — more than double the previous year’s allocation. Officials say the surge reflects government’s effort to mainstream SDG financing in the national budgeting system to ensure development priorities are backed by measurable spending.
The initiative has drawn high commendation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which described Ghana’s SDG accountability framework as one of the most advanced globally.
“There are very few countries that have been brave enough to take this step, to really have this kind of accountability tool in place,” said Ms Paulina Sarvilahti, Chief of Social Policy and Inclusion at UNICEF Ghana. “It’s laudable that the Ministry of Finance is a frontrunner in this. Ghana’s data-driven approach provides a solid foundation for accelerated progress.”
She added that Ghana’s ability to track whether resources are reaching intended beneficiaries gives the country an advantage despite global economic pressures and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Overall, it’s great that we have this strong commitment from the government and that there is really a strong push towards this,” she stated.
For the first time, the 2023 report incorporates child-specific indicators, a move UNICEF described as a major milestone for policy targeting. UNICEF Country Representative, Mr Osama Makiawi Khogali, noted that the inclusion is critical given persistent levels of deprivation among children.
“Ghana has made important progress, but we must be more targeted, more decisive,” he said. “As we observe World Children’s Day, this report reminds us that investing in children is investing in the nation’s long-term development.”
According to UNICEF, 73 percent of Ghanaian children experience multidimensional poverty, while 28 percent face monetary poverty.
Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Isaac Fraikue, expressed confidence that Ghana remains on course to meet its 2030 deadline. He stressed that SDG tracking is now fully integrated into the government’s operational framework, improving the ability to identify gaps and implement corrective actions.
“We will definitely meet the targets by the time they are due because we are working so hard as a country,” he said. “Developing this report is more than just tagging and tracking budgetary applications and associated expenditures. It tells the story of Ghana’s development journey, reflecting our resolve to ensure that no one is left behind whilst aligning our national priorities with a shared global vision for a better future.”
Mr Fraikue revealed that the next phase of Ghana’s SDG financing approach will involve localising SDG budget and expenditure reporting, empowering district and local authorities to track and report spending more effectively. He said increased stakeholder engagement, stronger collaboration with development partners, and wider use of real-time data will underpin future budgetary decisions.
Development partners and civil society organisations present at the launch called on government to scale up investments in social protection, learning outcomes, and child nutrition while maintaining the transparent reporting systems that have earned the country international recognition.
