Abstract
The SDGs, adopted globally in 2015, necessitate localization where national and sub-national entities adapt and integrate these goals to address socioeconomic and environmental issues in different contexts. This research examines how local governments in Ghana integrate the SDGs into their Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) and assesses the association between these localized efforts and key socio-economic development outcomes. By analyzing the MTDPs of 138 local governments across 14 regions, the research finds that 78% of the 169 SDGs targets have been localized in Ghana. Nonetheless, goals related to climate action and environmental sustainability, show less localization, indicating a need for targeted interventions. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong association between localized SDGs and improved socio-economic outcomes, particularly in areas of healthcare access, education, energy access, and poverty reduction. The study highlights the potential of SDGs localization to drive sustainable development and underscores the importance of empowering local governments in tailoring global goals to local contexts. The study’s insights contribute to the broader discourse on SDGs localization, offering valuable lessons for similar initiatives in other sub-Saharan African countries.
Presenters
Mark AkrofiPostdoctoral Research Fellow, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Japan
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Africa, SDGs localization, Sustainable development, Local government
