Ghana is making good progress towards several of the MDGs:
1. Net primary school enrolment (MDG 2) rose from 79% in 2006/07 to 89% in 2007/08 (Preliminary Education Sector Performance Report, 2009) due to the introduction of capitation grant and school feeding programme. This rise has happened while maintaining broadly equal numbers of boys and girls (MDG 3). For every 100 boys there are 96 girls - Preliminary Education Sector Performance Report, 2009.
2. Less than a third of Ghanaians live below the national poverty line (Poverty has fallen from 52% in 1991/92 to 28 % in 2005/6 - Ghana Living Standards survey 2005/6).
But more progress is needed in other areas:
• Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio has shown downward trend from the 2005 WHO figure of 560 deaths to 451 deaths out of 100,000 live births (MDG 5) - Ghana Maternal Health Survey, 2007).
• 80 out of 1,000 children die before their fifth birthday (Preliminary results - 2008 Demographic Health Survey).
After collecting the data from some members of the Network of African Youth for Development, NAYD-Ghana chapter on issues which are preventing the realization of the MDG goal.
The date revealed political will, lack of resources, lack of budgetary requirements, and lack of awareness may be responsible factors preventing the realization of the MDG goals in Ghana. There is no well planned project with specific aim and targets.
Matthew Ewusi Nyarkoh
UA Ambassador, Ghana
1. Net primary school enrolment (MDG 2) rose from 79% in 2006/07 to 89% in 2007/08 (Preliminary Education Sector Performance Report, 2009) due to the introduction of capitation grant and school feeding programme. This rise has happened while maintaining broadly equal numbers of boys and girls (MDG 3). For every 100 boys there are 96 girls - Preliminary Education Sector Performance Report, 2009.
2. Less than a third of Ghanaians live below the national poverty line (Poverty has fallen from 52% in 1991/92 to 28 % in 2005/6 - Ghana Living Standards survey 2005/6).
But more progress is needed in other areas:
• Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio has shown downward trend from the 2005 WHO figure of 560 deaths to 451 deaths out of 100,000 live births (MDG 5) - Ghana Maternal Health Survey, 2007).
• 80 out of 1,000 children die before their fifth birthday (Preliminary results - 2008 Demographic Health Survey).
After collecting the data from some members of the Network of African Youth for Development, NAYD-Ghana chapter on issues which are preventing the realization of the MDG goal.
The date revealed political will, lack of resources, lack of budgetary requirements, and lack of awareness may be responsible factors preventing the realization of the MDG goals in Ghana. There is no well planned project with specific aim and targets.
Matthew Ewusi Nyarkoh
UA Ambassador, Ghana