The government spent GH¢188 billion in 2023 on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marking a significant increase of GH¢105 billion compared to the GH¢83 billion allocated in 2022.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance, Patrick Nomo, disclosed this during the launch of the 2023 SDG Budget and Expenditure Report, noting that the rise in spending reflects government’s renewed commitment to accelerating progress toward the 2030 targets.

The report, compiled by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with key development partners, provides a comprehensive overview of achievements, challenges, and the proactive strategies adopted to address them.

Dr Nomo said the increased investment demonstrates government’s resolve to improve the lives of citizens across priority sectors.

He explained that Ghana continues to perform strongly in areas such as education, health, gender, social protection, and human capital development, adding that these sectors remain central to the country’s sustainable development agenda.

He emphasised that the jump from GH¢83 billion in 2022 to GH¢188 billion in 2023 represents a “significant scaling-up of efforts” to meet the SDG targets.

“This demonstrates not only government’s commitment to the people, planet, and prosperity, but also our determination to ensure that by 2030, Ghana plays its full part in achieving the SDGs,” he said.

Dr Nomo also called on development partners to intensify their support in the final stretch toward the SDG deadline, stressing the need to “leave no one behind.”

The Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Isaac Freikue, said the report provides a measurable account of how SDG targets are integrated into national planning and expenditure.

Aligning Ghana’s medium-term development objectives with the SDG framework, he noted, has enabled systematic tracking of allocations, gaps, and progress across ministries and local government structures.

He added that the report goes beyond accounting for spending, explaining that it “tells the story of Ghana’s development journey,” highlighting the country’s commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusive growth.

The UNICEF Country Representative, Osama Makkawi Khogali, commended Ghana for its leadership in child rights and welcomed the inclusion of child-specific indicators in the report.

He stressed that investment in children is essential, as they constitute nearly half of the population, and warned that global crises continue to threaten gains made in poverty reduction and welfare improvement.

Former Dean of the University of Ghana Business School, Professor Justice Bawole, also praised Ghana’s performance on several SDG indicators but expressed concern over environmental challenges, particularly illegal mining, which he said undermines progress across many goals.

He encouraged government to intensify efforts to combat environmental degradation while commending the Ministry of Finance for producing a report that highlights progress, challenges, and the work ahead.