SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

On the 23rd and 24th July 2021, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Ghana’s Economic Policy Competence Centre (FESEPCC) and the University of Environment and Sustainable Development held the Sustainable Development Conference in Akosombo – Eastern Region of Ghana. It was themed, Towards Environmental, Economic and Socio-political Sustainability: Exploring Research and Policy Evidence. The hybrid conference – both virtual and in-person participation – provided the space for convergence of ideas to be discussed amongst NGOs, CSOs, political and academic actors in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond towards achieving sustainable development in SSA.

The two-day conference deepened participants appreciation of the challenges that threaten sustainable development in SSA; while highlighting the need to develop collective strategies to respond to these challenges to shape sustainable development in SSA.

Looking ahead, these recommendations towards the attainment of Sustainable Development in SSA were adduced:

• There is a need to formulate and implement responsible, disciplined, and confident structural transformation and self-reliance pathways.
• SSA countries should create sustainable business models that can create jobs whilst conserving the environment.
• Achievement of the SDGs requires good financial management comprising effective stewardship of tax and non-tax revenues
• Gender and women issues should be core to the achievement of SDGs in SSA
• There is a need for a technical, social, economic, and political framework to fight illegal mining.
• There is a need for academia to link the policy-industry nexus

In summary, the conference highlighted that sustainable development is a key driver of inclusive socio-economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, there is a need for many more debates, policies, and ideas intended to change the development trajectory in SSA. Further, political decisiveness and will on implementing and enforcing these policies are crucial to achieving sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa.