TakingITGlobal - Panorama - ACHIEVING THE...

Published on: Nov 6, 2006

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=8937

ACHIEVING THE MILLENNUIM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs): A SHARED RESPONSIBILTY.
In the year 2000, 189 member states of the United Nations took a bold step and a great leap of faith in drafting and signing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goals were, but not limited to the following:
• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development.

Almost six years have elapsed since then. The Ghana government was one of the numerous signatories to this declaration. It is prudent and necessary, therefore, for us as a people to take stock of our activities in the pursuit of the realization of the millennium development goals. We cannot assign ourselves a responsibility through our promise to other countries in the world, then return home to fold our arms.
The world over, as some may bear me out, especially those who browse the internet quite frequently and read newspapers, magazines and journals both within and without the boundaries of Ghana , a lot is being done at individual national levels and collectively as a global force of countries for the attainment of the MDGs.The United Nations for instance, has developed the Millennium Campaign site on the internet to collate news and information on all MDG campaigns and activities across the world. The make-poverty history campaigns held worldwide were all to attain the MDGs.

What makes the MDGs so special and why should we in Ghana be bothered? How does it affect our lives as a people and how could their attainment shape or transform our lives? What roles do we have to play?
The eight goals are just a summary of the various activities humanity has over the years been undertaking and the ideals we have been striving to reach in our quest for development. A clearly defined vision is as important as its realization since blurred vision can sometimes be very frustrating. The MDGs are a blueprint for all member nations to measure their commitment to the pursuit of sustainable development and the betterment of lives of their citizenry. They are a common yardstick with which measurements in terms of development are made across the globe in every country. The MDGs also give countries the opportunity to share ideas, skills and expertise in addressing the most common but debilitating challenges confronting us all globally. They serve as a standard by which governments, civil society organizations and individuals measure their contribution to the alleviation of the suffering on people of the earth.
A few weeks before vacation, I asked student friends on campus to test their knowledge on the MDGs and it was disturbing to know that many of my friends were still ignorant to what the MDGs were. The story was not too different when I interacted with a few opinion leaders within the Ghanaian society during my visits to parts of the country. The few who claimed to know something about the MDGs were lacking in detail what the eight goals really entailed. Interestingly, some who were championing the cause of the MDGs were unaware of the great role they were playing in achieving a global vision.

To me, upon careful and thoughtful considerations, the government has the greatest responsibility to fulfill and role to play in the attainment of the millennium development goals. Government, with its three arms namely the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislative is entrusted with the responsibility of national leadership. The government must ensure the greatest respect in the greatest sense to the greatest majority of Ghanaians in terms of human rights protection. The rule of law must be upheld at all times. Education also is a powerful tool for the elimination of debilitating poverty. The implementation of the Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) by the Ghana government is a big plus for Ghanaians in achieving the MDGs. It is heart warming that enrolment in most of the basic schools has shot up appreciably due to the coming into effect of the capitation and feeding grants programme under FCUBE. The government must step up efforts to guarantee the many youth who are unemployed jobs from which they can derive a living. Poverty does not only make our people poor, it weakens them psychologically too. Poverty causes to a nation humiliation and puts it in an uncomfortable position to throttle round the world cup-in-hand instead of gift-in-hand. In addressing the challenge of poverty, the government must take a critical look at ICT development and decentralization. India is a good example for what investment in ICT development could do to transform a wailing economy. How many bags of cocoa shall we continue to export to buy a laptop and for how long? If 185 out of 500 top global business groups and companies undertake ICT outsourcing in India, then we need no consultant to tell us that we are losing a lot by not investing a lot in ICT development. ICT must be decentralized: every regional and district capital should have a well established and resourced ICT Training Center so that individuals can easily equip themselves for a lifetime global opportunity. Potato chips will fetch as peanuts but electronic chips (technology) bring to our coffers wealth.
The effort by the Kufuor administration to create jobs for the youth is laudable.Nevertheless; time is overdue for it to be given a realistic meaning. The National Youth Employment programme should be implemented as envisioned within the shortest lapse of time and the youth provided with the requisite support in terms of training and funding.

I am reasonably aware that over 120 active FM stations currently operate within the political boundaries of Ghana. I can count as much as 21 very active FM stations in Kumasi. There are many newspapers and magazines on the market today which is indicative of a booming media industry and also a greater respect of people’s rights.
Ghanaians should endeavor to make use of the opportunities offered them by both the print and electronic media to champion the cause of the Millennium Development Goals. It is the responsibility of the people to hold the government responsible for the realization of the MDGs and the media provides them with the best opportunity to do so. Newspaper editors and journalists as well as news presenters should be at the forefront of creating awareness on the eight goals.
It is not by chance that the freedom enjoyed by many Ghanaians today exists. Many could still bear me witness to the painful history we encountered or in other words, wrote for ourselves. In the 80s it was considered a taboo to openly criticize the then military government.
It is in this light that the freedom prevailing in Ghana currently should not be abused in any way but rather utilized to push for the realization of the millennium development goals. The mirror of society is the media. The media, both print and electronic should open opportunities for individuals to freely express their thoughts and opinions on issues they think affect them, no matter how appealing or divergent they may be.

Civil society organizations cannot be left out in the fight for the attainment of the millennium development goals. At their offices, seminars and conferences, room must be created to advance news on the millennium development goals. They could also serve as pressure groups on government so as to put and keep her on track in achieving the said goals.
Non-governmental organizations are historically, global partners in development. They compliment and supplement efforts by government in addressing issues of affordable and accessible, quality education, protection of human rights, sustainable livelihoods, and women empowerment. Non-governmental organizations are able to commit people and resources to areas professionals may never try to venture on their own. NGOs employ the services of volunteers who though their works bring about meaningful development.NGOs must measure on a daily basis the progress of their activities sacrosanct with the eight millennium development goals.

Students in higher institutions of learning are indispensable tools in development, particularly in the attainment of the MDGs. I am reminded of a statement by a Swiss Student leader that “When students decide to act, things happen!”. Over the years, students have fearlessly advocated for the respect for human rights and the restoration of democratic rule even when the masses silently suffered under the heavy arms of oppressive regimes. South African Students, for instance, sparked a revolution that led to the annihilation of apartheid and the restoration of democracy in their country. Ghanaians students vigorously advocated for the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) whose results are evident for all to see today.
It is in the same vein that I believe so much in the potential of the youth, tertiary students especially; to play active roles to fulfill the MDGs. They can lead campaigns and organize awareness fora and workshops. The greatest responsibility students have to discharge is to learn assiduously, however. The successful education of students and their eventual integration into the Ghanaian economy whether or not it be in the public or private sector is the safest and most excellent way to achieve the millennium development goals. After all, the greatest asset any nation can have is its people- people who are endowed with skills, knowledge and information. Student leaders can mobilize their students to undertake community development programmes such as health education, teaching, environmental protection and address other peculiar development needs of the various individually unique communities. A good example is the Rural Service Programme (RSP) organized by the Local NUGS secretariat of KNUST in the Offinso district in 2005.

Traditionally, our chiefs are the custodians of the history and culture of their people. Traditional authorities wield a lot of influence in their respective communities and as such are agents for local and national development. The community spirit of volunteerism that existed among Ghanaians under the direction of their traditional authorities must be revisited and resuscitated in pursuit of the achievement of the MDGs. Education must remain topmost on the list of all Chiefs since it is the best way out of the chronic poverty that has stifled the development of their own communities.

Individually, we must share news on the MDGs and work for their attainment. We must own them and run with them as our personal vision.

It is important that all stakeholders get actively involved in sharing the MDGs news and practically get working in their implementation and realization. We must not be oblivious to this one fact- that the achievement of the MDGs is a shared responsibility.

Selorm Kofi Dake,
MDG Advocate,
The MDG Group Ghana
Kumasi,Ghana.
kofiselorm@gmail.com
028-70-52-900.

« return.



by DAKE KOFI SELORM
Published on: Nov 6, 2006
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=8937


ACHIEVING THE MILLENNUIM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs): A SHARED RESPONSIBILTY. In the year 2000, 189 member states of the United Nations took a bold step and a great leap of faith in drafting and signing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goals were, but not limited to the following: • Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger • Achieve universal primary education • Promote gender equality and empower women • Reduce child mortality • Improve maternal health • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases • Ensure environmental sustainability • Develop a global partnership for development. Almost six years have elapsed since then. The Ghana government was one of the numerous signatories to this declaration. It is prudent and necessary, therefore, for us as a people to take stock of our activities in the pursuit of the realization of the millennium development goals. We cannot assign ourselves a responsibility through our promise to other countries in the world, then return home to fold our arms. The world over, as some may bear me out, especially those who browse the internet quite frequently and read newspapers, magazines and journals both within and without the boundaries of Ghana , a lot is being done at individual national levels and collectively as a global force of countries for the attainment of the MDGs.The United Nations for instance, has developed the Millennium Campaign site on the internet to collate news and information on all MDG campaigns and activities across the world. The make-poverty history campaigns held worldwide were all to attain the MDGs. What makes the MDGs so special and why should we in Ghana be bothered? How does it affect our lives as a people and how could their attainment shape or transform our lives? What roles do we have to play? The eight goals are just a summary of the various activities humanity has over the years been undertaking and the ideals we have been striving to reach in our quest for development. A clearly defined vision is as important as its realization since blurred vision can sometimes be very frustrating. The MDGs are a blueprint for all member nations to measure their commitment to the pursuit of sustainable development and the betterment of lives of their citizenry. They are a common yardstick with which measurements in terms of development are made across the globe in every country. The MDGs also give countries the opportunity to share ideas, skills and expertise in addressing the most common but debilitating challenges confronting us all globally. They serve as a standard by which governments, civil society organizations and individuals measure their contribution to the alleviation of the suffering on people of the earth. A few weeks before vacation, I asked student friends on campus to test their knowledge on the MDGs and it was disturbing to know that many of my friends were still ignorant to what the MDGs were. The story was not too different when I interacted with a few opinion leaders within the Ghanaian society during my visits to parts of the country. The few who claimed to know something about the MDGs were lacking in detail what the eight goals really entailed. Interestingly, some who were championing the cause of the MDGs were unaware of the great role they were playing in achieving a global vision. To me, upon careful and thoughtful considerations, the government has the greatest responsibility to fulfill and role to play in the attainment of the millennium development goals. Government, with its three arms namely the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislative is entrusted with the responsibility of national leadership. The government must ensure the greatest respect in the greatest sense to the greatest majority of Ghanaians in terms of human rights protection. The rule of law must be upheld at all times. Education also is a powerful tool for the elimination of debilitating poverty. The implementation of the Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) by the Ghana government is a big plus for Ghanaians in achieving the MDGs. It is heart warming that enrolment in most of the basic schools has shot up appreciably due to the coming into effect of the capitation and feeding grants programme under FCUBE. The government must step up efforts to guarantee the many youth who are unemployed jobs from which they can derive a living. Poverty does not only make our people poor, it weakens them psychologically too. Poverty causes to a nation humiliation and puts it in an uncomfortable position to throttle round the world cup-in-hand instead of gift-in-hand. In addressing the challenge of poverty, the government must take a critical look at ICT development and decentralization. India is a good example for what investment in ICT development could do to transform a wailing economy. How many bags of cocoa shall we continue to export to buy a laptop and for how long? If 185 out of 500 top global business groups and companies undertake ICT outsourcing in India, then we need no consultant to tell us that we are losing a lot by not investing a lot in ICT development. ICT must be decentralized: every regional and district capital should have a well established and resourced ICT Training Center so that individuals can easily equip themselves for a lifetime global opportunity. Potato chips will fetch as peanuts but electronic chips (technology) bring to our coffers wealth. The effort by the Kufuor administration to create jobs for the youth is laudable.Nevertheless; time is overdue for it to be given a realistic meaning. The National Youth Employment programme should be implemented as envisioned within the shortest lapse of time and the youth provided with the requisite support in terms of training and funding. I am reasonably aware that over 120 active FM stations currently operate within the political boundaries of Ghana. I can count as much as 21 very active FM stations in Kumasi. There are many newspapers and magazines on the market today which is indicative of a booming media industry and also a greater respect of people’s rights. Ghanaians should endeavor to make use of the opportunities offered them by both the print and electronic media to champion the cause of the Millennium Development Goals. It is the responsibility of the people to hold the government responsible for the realization of the MDGs and the media provides them with the best opportunity to do so. Newspaper editors and journalists as well as news presenters should be at the forefront of creating awareness on the eight goals. It is not by chance that the freedom enjoyed by many Ghanaians today exists. Many could still bear me witness to the painful history we encountered or in other words, wrote for ourselves. In the 80s it was considered a taboo to openly criticize the then military government. It is in this light that the freedom prevailing in Ghana currently should not be abused in any way but rather utilized to push for the realization of the millennium development goals. The mirror of society is the media. The media, both print and electronic should open opportunities for individuals to freely express their thoughts and opinions on issues they think affect them, no matter how appealing or divergent they may be. Civil society organizations cannot be left out in the fight for the attainment of the millennium development goals. At their offices, seminars and conferences, room must be created to advance news on the millennium development goals. They could also serve as pressure groups on government so as to put and keep her on track in achieving the said goals. Non-governmental organizations are historically, global partners in development. They compliment and supplement efforts by government in addressing issues of affordable and accessible, quality education, protection of human rights, sustainable livelihoods, and women empowerment. Non-governmental organizations are able to commit people and resources to areas professionals may never try to venture on their own. NGOs employ the services of volunteers who though their works bring about meaningful development.NGOs must measure on a daily basis the progress of their activities sacrosanct with the eight millennium development goals. Students in higher institutions of learning are indispensable tools in development, particularly in the attainment of the MDGs. I am reminded of a statement by a Swiss Student leader that “When students decide to act, things happen!”. Over the years, students have fearlessly advocated for the respect for human rights and the restoration of democratic rule even when the masses silently suffered under the heavy arms of oppressive regimes. South African Students, for instance, sparked a revolution that led to the annihilation of apartheid and the restoration of democracy in their country. Ghanaians students vigorously advocated for the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) whose results are evident for all to see today. It is in the same vein that I believe so much in the potential of the youth, tertiary students especially; to play active roles to fulfill the MDGs. They can lead campaigns and organize awareness fora and workshops. The greatest responsibility students have to discharge is to learn assiduously, however. The successful education of students and their eventual integration into the Ghanaian economy whether or not it be in the public or private sector is the safest and most excellent way to achieve the millennium development goals. After all, the greatest asset any nation can have is its people- people who are endowed with skills, knowledge and information. Student leaders can mobilize their students to undertake community development programmes such as health education, teaching, environmental protection and address other peculiar development needs of the various individually unique communities. A good example is the Rural Service Programme (RSP) organized by the Local NUGS secretariat of KNUST in the Offinso district in 2005. Traditionally, our chiefs are the custodians of the history and culture of their people. Traditional authorities wield a lot of influence in their respective communities and as such are agents for local and national development. The community spirit of volunteerism that existed among Ghanaians under the direction of their traditional authorities must be revisited and resuscitated in pursuit of the achievement of the MDGs. Education must remain topmost on the list of all Chiefs since it is the best way out of the chronic poverty that has stifled the development of their own communities. Individually, we must share news on the MDGs and work for their attainment. We must own them and run with them as our personal vision. It is important that all stakeholders get actively involved in sharing the MDGs news and practically get working in their implementation and realization. We must not be oblivious to this one fact- that the achievement of the MDGs is a shared responsibility. Selorm Kofi Dake, MDG Advocate, The MDG Group Ghana Kumasi,Ghana. kofiselorm@gmail.com 028-70-52-900. « return.