Welcome to the United Nations
Main Messages – Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR)
Introduction
Ghana reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In presenting its third VNR, the country acknowledges that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework to address present challenges and support inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development.
Recent years have seen significant socio-economic resilience in Ghana. Following a pandemic-induced contraction, the economy has shown growth, with GDP increasing from 0.5 percent in 2020 to 5.7 percent in 2024, primarily driven by industry and services sectors. Inflation fell from 54 percent in December 2022 to 23.8 percent in December 2024, improving the macroeconomic environment, aiding businesses, and improving livelihoods.
Current Challenges
Despite these developments, emerging and persistent challenges risk reversing gains. Economic inequality, youth unemployment - particularly in urban areas where 1.9 million are not in education, employment, or training (NEET)- infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation, and institutional inefficiencies continue to pose significant obstacles. Regional disparities in health outcomes further highlight the fragility of Ghana’s progress. Corruption, fiscal constraints, and weak institutional coordination has also hindered implementation.
Achievements of SDGs
- Maternal Mortality and Anemia [SDGs 3]: Ghana's institutional maternal mortality rate decreased by 15 percent from 128.6 to 109.3 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2023. Anemia rates among children aged 6-59 months improved from 65.7 percent in 2014 to 48.9 percent in 2022.
- Access to Education (SDG 4): Ghana has achieved gender parity in pre-tertiary education. Access to Senior High Education increased from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.6 million in 2024.
- Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (SDG 5): Ghana passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act in 2024 to ensure equality in political, social, economic, educational, and cultural spheres.
- Access to WASH services (SDG 6): Ghana has improved access to at least water services (88.4%) as of 2022 though safely managed water (44.5%) and sanitation services has experienced a slow transition (15.8%).
- Localisation of the SDGs [SDGs 11]: Interest in Voluntary Local Reviews (VLR) preparation is increasing among local planning authorities. Three have completed their VLRs, and 18 are at varying stages. These efforts are enhancing citizen participation, data ownership, identification of accelerators, and local accountability to ensure no one and no place is left behind, although gaps in financing, technical capacity, and coordination persist.
- Climate Action [SDGs 13]: Ghana established a Climate Financing Division and Green Finance Taxonomy, attracting over $54 million in climate investments and aiming to cut over 1 million tonnes of CO₂.
Medium-Term Priorities
In the medium term, Ghana’s focus within the context of the SDGs Transformation and Commitments and the United Nations Six Transitions will include:
- Infrastructure Development: Government intends to invest US$10 billion infrastructure in roads and railways, water systems, energy, healthcare, and education.
- Digital Transformation: Enhanced e-governance, mobile money expansion, and digital public infrastructure to improve service delivery and accountability.
- Green Economy Transition: Sustainable energy, circular economy, and nature-based solutions to boost resilience and create green jobs.
- Financing: Government will leverage the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), enhance domestic revenue mobilisation through digital platforms, among others to raise financing and investment.
- Industrialisation: Targeting production as a driver of economic development, focusing on agriculture and trade (manufacturing).
- Investing in People for Inclusive Growth: Focusing on lifelong learning, skills development, health promotion, and inclusive participation development.
Conclusion
The 2026–2029 National Development Policy Framework has mainstreamed the SDGs and reinforced alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The country’s transformation agenda will focus on integrated planning, inclusive participation, and resilient data systems.
