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Global economic crisis threatens attainment of MDGs
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
More than halfway to the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), major advances in the fight against
poverty and hunger have begun to slow or even reverse as a
result of the global economic and food crises.
Additionally, Progress towards the goals is now threatened by
sluggish — or even negative — economic growth, diminished
resources, fewer trade opportunities for the developing
countries, and possible reductions in aid flows from donor
nations.
Instructively, the MDGs are eight goals to be achieved by 2015
that respond to the world's main development challenges. The
MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the
Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations-and
signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN
Millennium Summit in September 2000.
The eight MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets that are
measured by 60 indicators are: Goal 1-eradicate extreme poverty
and hunger, Goal 2-achieve universal primary education, Goal
3-promote gender equality and empower women.
While, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Goals are: reduce child mortality,
improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a
Global Partnership for Development respectively.
Speaking at the launch of the Social Watch Report
2009 “Making finances work: People First”, in Accra, yesterday,
the Manager of Abantu for Development, Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin
added that although the legacy of the ongoing financial crisis
would be gloomy, it may also had another legacy in that crucial
ideas about human rights could no longer be dismissed.
She noted that the crisis presented a historic opportunity and a
generational responsibility to rethink decision-making in
economic policy.
“A human rights based calls for a reform of governance
structures to ensure that all economic policy is carried out in
accordance with the human rights regime. This will ensure
participation at all levels, subjecting decisions to public
scrutiny, transparency and accountability at every step”, Mrs.
Mensah-Kutin emphasized.
According to the report, a striking aspect of the crisis is the
extent to which financial entities managed to transfer the
burden of their irresponsible risk-taking to the most vulnerable
in society.
The report therefore urged governments to adopt measures to
protect the human rights of their people through robust banking
and financial sector regulation.
Touching on Ghana, the Social Watch 2009 Report, observed that
the winds of the global financial crisis had already begun to
batter the country.
As the Cedi lost 23% of its value against the dollar in 2008,
and 19% against the euro, whilst private capital flows are
drying up and large investment projects are being put on hold
due to cash flow problems and economic uncertainties.
Compounding the damage of the anticipated drop in the quantity
and price of Ghana’s exports, economists are projecting a 20%
plunge in remittances from Ghanaians working abroad in 2009.
The Co-ordinator of the Third World Network-Africa, Dr. Yao
Graham, used the occasion to brief the media on the upcoming
2009 Social Watch General Assembly to be hosted in Accra, Ghana
in October 2009 for the four times.
The General Assembly was the Social Watch network’s highest
directive body. Policy discussion and medium-to long-term
strategic planning happens in its realm, which serves as a
decision-making forum.
It is also a space for reinforcing the sense of belonging and
strengthening the network’s identity and unity and takes place
every three years: in Rome 2000, Beirut 2003 and Sofia 2006.
Ghanadot
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