HHSDG Think Tank launched to accelerate progress on health-related sustainable development goals in Ghana
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr Eric Nsiah says Ghana is very much behind in reaching some of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 with less than six years to 2030.
Speaking at an event held to mark the inauguration of the Health and Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals (HHSDGs) Ghana Think Tank, he said that as the main target, SDG 3 aims to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for all, at all ages but Ghana is behind in reaching SDG 3 Goal 1 and 2.
“The SDGs have engaged the attention of policymakers and stakeholders in health internationally and nationally over the last decade. In fact, achieving the SDGs is crucial to providing increased access to individual and population-based services and to addressing impoverishment due to catastrophic out-of-pocket payments for care.”
“As stakeholders in the health sector, SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages is our main target. However, with less than six years to 2030, we are behind some of the targets of Goal 3.”
“The last Ghana Maternal Health Survey conducted in 2017 shows a maternal mortality ratio of 310 deaths per 100,000 live births. The recent Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS 2022) shows neonatal mortality of 17 deaths per 1,000 live births and children under-five mortality rate of 40 deaths per 1,000 live births.”
“Clearly, these findings indicate that we have a lot to do to achieve the SDG 3 targets including those related to NCDs, HIV, Mental Health, and Tuberculosis,” he added.
However, Dr Eric Nsiah also indicated that the country has shown great optimism toward reaching the goals before 2030 as shown by the performance assessment of the sector over the last five years (2019-2023).
“We are making progress towards attainment of the targets, as shown by performance assessment of the sector over the last five years (2019-2023). We only need to double our efforts to mobilize the needed resources and expertise to prosecute the various interventions.”
“This task, undoubtedly, would require that we work collaboratively in an integrated manner using the One-Health and Health-in-All approaches with all stakeholders especially those outside the sector,” he noted.
In his closing remarks, he also commended the organizers of the think tank, urging them to collaborate extensively with the Ministry of Health in achieving the SDG in Ghana.
“The Ministry recognizes the need for collaboration, partnership, and continuous engagements with stakeholders to achieve its vision of a healthy population for national development. We welcome this meeting of stakeholders to discuss how to strengthen collaboration for achieving SDGs in Ghana and the inauguration of the HHSDGs Think Tank,” he quipped.
Charles Paul Iheanacho Abani, UN Residence Coordinator Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, emphasized that by working together, stakeholders can support the development of robust healthcare infrastructure, improve access to essential medicines and services, and ensure better health systems to respond to emergencies.
“Strengthening collaborative approaches will help align with global commitments to the SDGs therefore fostering strong partnerships, As a result, Ghana can mobilize international support, attract investments, and participate in global networks that provide additional resources and expertise,” he posited.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Convenor of the think tank Frederick Kumah, reiterated that cross-sector collaboration is crucial for achieving the health and health-related SDGs because addressing complex health challenges requires collaboration among healthcare, social, economic, and environmental sectors.
“We have come together to respond to the imperative of addressing the HHSDGs from a cross-sectoral perspective. By working together across sectors, we can address the complex health challenges and achieve the SDGs, creating a healthier and more sustainable future for all,” he stated.
The think tank comprises academia, civil society, industry, government, policymakers, and communities and is aimed at fostering a collaborative environment where scientific evidence and policy expertise converge to inform decision-making and drive positive change.
It will also facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and best practices to tackle pressing issues in areas such as climate change and sustainability, health and wellbeing, technology and innovation, education and skills development, and economic growth and development.
Through workshops, seminars, and interactive discussions, the health and health-related sustainable development goals (HHSDGs) will bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to:
– Inform policy decisions with scientific evidence
– Identify research priorities and funding opportunities
– Develop innovative solutions and technologies
– Build capacity and skills for effective science-policy interface
