SEND Ghana has called on government to engage civil society organisations in the formulation of national policies to ensure an all-inclusive development in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The organization noted that, development initiatives were more effective for poverty reduction when all stakeholders, especially citizens and marginalized communities were actively involved in the planning, execution and monitoring of development programmes.

SEND Ghana’s Country Director, Mr Osei-Bimpeh, speaking at a policy forum for Inclusive growth for sustainable development, organized by the Ministry of Planning and the National Development Planning Commission, said the country is expected to perform positively in the SDGs.

The forum which brought together participants across various sectors addressed and discussed issues on poverty and inequality and efforts on translating the Sustainable Development Goals into action.

Mr Osei-Bimpeh stated that inclusive growth also focused on a pro-poor development approach in addressing development issues that promote transparency and accountability and enhances development cooperation outcomes.

He posited that the formulation of public policies must promote joint efforts of government and civil societies through collective, participatory and democratic collaboration.

He urged government to improve on the decentralisation system to ensure inclusive growth and guarantee that NGOs training communities was inculcated into budget management processes.

A speech read on behalf of Professor George Gyan-Baffour, the Minister of Planning, said government was making efforts to address the challenges of inequality in the country through the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2017-2024).

He said other efforts include the Medium-term National Development Policy Framework 2018-2021; dubbed ‘An Agenda for Jobs: Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunity for All’

Prof Gyan-Baffour said as part efforts to address the inequality gap, the government would accelerate the establishment of special development authorities for selected areas and also expand social and economic infrastructure and services in rural and poor urban areas.

Dr Isaac Mensa-Bonsu, Director for Planning Coordination, National Development Planning Commission, called for effective linkages between sector and district plans with the national development agenda to promote inclusive growth.

Dr Mensa-Bonsu said there was the need to strengthen data production of government programmes and effectively monitor and disseminate progress of implementation to ensure transparency and accountability.

Dr Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, Senior Technical Adviser, Ministry of Planning expressed worry about how the country’s recreational space, were used for estate development, and urged the Town and Country Planning to be concern and act appropriately.