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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo emphasized the paradox of the state of the world today in a stirring opening address to the SDGs Action Summit 2024, pointing out both tremendous advancements and important obstacles.
The President welcomed guests from all around the world to Accra while holding the position of Co-Chair of the Emeritus Group of the UN Secretary-General’s Eminent SDGs Advocates. The President highlighted Ghana’s well-known hospitality.
“Akwaaba,” President Akufo-Addo greeted, symbolizing Ghana’s warm welcome. He acknowledged the leadership of the SDGs Advisory Unit at the Office of the President and the collaborative efforts of several international and national partners in organizing this summit, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
President Akufo-Addo gave a striking speech to the assembly, describing a world at a crossroads. The President issued a warning about a confluence of issues that pose a threat to human survival, despite the fact that advances in technology, medicine, and communications have revolutionized lives. He pointed out that catastrophic effects like extreme weather, rising sea levels, and declining biodiversity are all signs of climate change, which is escalating. He emphasized that marginalized groups experience these repercussions the most keenly.
The President emphasized the continued fallout from the COVID-19 epidemic, which has revealed the vulnerability of international institutions, upended economies, taxed healthcare systems, and deepened inequality.
Human rights achievements and progress are impeded by the ongoing suffering and displacement caused by internal conflicts and political instability. Social unrest and human potential are being stifled by the growing economic disparities.
“The consequences of inaction are dire,” President Akufo-Addo stated. He warned that future generations would inherit a world plagued by environmental degradation, economic instability, and social fragmentation unless decisive action is taken. He stressed that no single country could tackle these cross-border challenges alone, emphasizing the necessity for global cooperation, which the SDGs represent.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo underscored the growing relevance of the SDGs in today’s world. The Goals, he noted, address the root causes of global issues, promoting inclusive and responsible development. “The SDGs remind us that no one should be left behind as we advance towards a more equitable world,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo also highlighted Africa’s commendable strides over the past decade in various sectors. He pointed to improvements in access to safe drinking water, healthcare, education, electrification, and gender equality. He cited Ghana’s significant progress in electrification, aiming for universal access by the end of the year, as a testament to the nation’s resolve.
However, the President candidly acknowledged areas where progress has lagged. He mentioned ongoing challenges in reducing poverty rates and addressing inequalities, particularly between urban and rural areas. He also highlighted the impacts of climate change and global events that complicate development efforts, underscoring the need for urgent, innovative actions.
President Akufo-Addo concluded by urging audacious and coordinated efforts to accelerate progress toward the SDGs. To improve the possibilities of reaching the Goals on a national, regional, and worldwide scale, he put out a Four-Point Agenda. This agenda involves developing human capital development as a top priority, accelerating innovation in vital industries, constructing resilient infrastructure, and unlocking financing for accelerated SDG implementation.
President Akufo-Addo remarked, “Together, we can build a sustainable and prosperous Africa that leaves no one behind,” and he urged participants to make a commitment to taking strong and daring acts to keep the momentum going toward accomplishing the SDGs.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
