In response to a clarion appeal from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Ghana is embarking on a mission to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rescue plan.
This Rescue Plan underscores the need for nations to channel their efforts and resources towards addressing critical priority areas, particularly the reduction of poverty and inequality.
On a global scale, the progress towards achieving the SDG targets has been less than satisfactory, with only 12% of these objectives currently on track. 
This lag is attributed to a myriad of challenges, including the adverse impacts of climate change, ongoing conflicts, economic downturns, and the far-reaching consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To tackle this issue head-on, the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) took the initiative to convene a meeting of various stakeholders and institutions to deliberate on strategies for advancing the SDGs within the Ghanaian context. 
In a bid to streamline their efforts, a task team was appointed to draft a comprehensive plan with a sharp focus on five priority SDG areas that have the potential to expedite progress.
The five priority areas include target 16.6 which focuses on developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, target 8.5 which focuses on achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value by 2030 and target 7.3 which focuses on doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.
Others include target 6.2 which focuses on achieving access to adequate equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and ending open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations as well as target 4.1 which focuses on ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes by 2030.
Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, Director-General of NDPC, emphasised the vital significance of shifting attention to the real implementation phase of the SDGs at a workshop held on Thursday, October 04, 2023.
Dr. Abrampa stated that Ghana's overarching aim is to garner the support of policymakers, encouraging them to wholeheartedly commit to the realization of the five priority SDG targets. 
“These mutually reinforcing objectives, once attained, have the potential to serve as a catalyst for broader sustainable development throughout the nation”, he added
Dr Abrampa acknowledged the slow pace of progress in the past, despite a clear understanding of where the focus should lie, stressing that “the time has now come to address the "how" - how to effectively execute the SDG Rescue Plan”.
During the workshop, strategies were meticulously deliberated upon, with a strong focus on conveying the urgency of these targets to both leaders and the general public. 
Furthermore, participants engaged in planning the coordination of actions at both the national and local levels, as well as exploring avenues to unlock private sector investments in pursuit of these goals.
Ghana's proactive steps align with a global trend as more countries worldwide are developing their own rescue proposals. 
The United Nations is poised to compile these initiatives to create a comprehensive global SDG recovery strategy that can unite nations in their commitment to achieving these critical sustainable development goals.
Source: NDPC Communications