Tracking Progress on the Localisation of the SDG's: Lessons for the West African Sub-region from Ghanaian Local Governments

The study was aimed at analyzing structures put in place in Ghana to ensure effective mainstreaming and localization of the SDGs in an inclusive, accountable and collaborative manner into national and decentralized policy making. The study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the extent to which the global goals have been mainstreamed into development policy making and implementation at the national and local levels of governance; and to identify challenges to the mainstreaming and localisation of the SDGs and use the findings to promote advocacy. It involved in-depth assessment of medium-term development plans of several MMDAs as well as various other policy documents of government. The Report is organised into five (5) main chapters. Chapter One has dealt with the background issues, objectives and methods used for the study. Chapter Two examines Ghana’s role in the formulation of the SDGs to make an argument as to why ensuring effective localisation of the goals towards achieving substantial implementation is important. Chapter Three discusses the mainstreaming processes as well as the alignment of national flagship programmes to the SDGs. This is done from the perspective of alignment, adaptation, adoption, needs assessment, planning, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation. Chapter four deals with the role of MMDAs in increasing citizens understanding of, and awareness about the SDGs. Chapter five summarises the main findings to draw conclusions and make recommendations for advocacy making and policy reforms.