Civil Society Organizations in the Northern Region have set up a regional platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to coordinates the activities of CSOs around the SDGs in that region.
This was at a meeting organized by NORSAAC, CDD-Ghana, Care International, GDCA and NNED, which brought together 40 participants made up CSOs with proven track record of implementing development projects within the region.
Speaking at the meeting, the National Coordinator for the CSO Platform on SDGs, Ugonna Ukaigwe indicated her excitement about the establishment of the regional chapter, and stated that “the voice of CSOs in the regions and districts is critical for the effective implementation of the SDGs in Ghana.”
She said the existence of such platforms at the regional and district level, strengthens the collective voice of CSOs in their engagement with government.
Gender and Governance Manager at NORSAAC, Madam Kawusada Abubakari expressed her joy at CSOs ability to collaborate on broader issues like the SDGs.
In her words “together, we can move the Northern Region Platform forward and aid the national platform better represent CSOs in engaging government machinery on the SDGs.”
Meanwhile, a five-member convening team was selected to steer the affairs of the platform; NORSAAC was selected as the Convener while CDD – Ghana, Care – International, NNED and GDCA were selected as co-conveners.
The 40 participants who attended the meeting threw their weight behind the convening team and expressed confidence in their capability to hold the platform together. The convening team pledged their commitment to the task ahead and promised to adopt a collaborative approach in leading the platform.
In a consensus, members of the platform concluded on the need to ensure sustainability of the Platform through self-funding and adoption of innovative strategies to minimize cost of running the platform. The convening team were then tasked to map out the district representation of its members, strategize on data collection processes and reporting to the national secretariat.