Supporting Ghana to harness Science, Technology and Innovation for sustainable development
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) roadmaps are powerful engagement tools to support the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several UN agencies, including UNESCO, have joined their efforts to support developing countries through a joint Global Pilot Programme on STI for SDGs roadmaps, working with 5 pilot countries, including Ghana. A workshop was organized in Ghana on 19 December 2019 to plan for the implementation of a pilot roadmap.
The programme intends to accelerate the process of developing new, or adapting existing, solutions for sustainable development. It is part of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM), and its UN Inter-agency Task Team (IATT) worksteam on STI for SDGs Roadmaps, which is led by UNESCO, the World Bank, UN-DESA, UNCTAD and EU-JRC. Expert consultations led to the development of a joint guidebook and shaped cooperation with the five pilot countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya and Serbia.
Ghana, as one of the five pilot countries selected, has participated extensively in the UN discussions and preparation of the roadmap initiative. The objectives of the roadmaps are to build a long-term vision of the desired future, explore innovation and technological pathways and possible scenarios, support policy design, planning and implementation processes.
A consultation was held on 19 December, in Accra, to prepare the way forward in implementing a pilot roadmap. The workshop provided the opportunity for all the relevant stakeholders to contribute to the work plan and timeline discussion, outlining key questions to be addressed and identifying the SDGs that Ghana could prioritize in the development of the roadmap.
The workshop in Ghana was organized by UNESCO, the Ghana Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSRI-STEPRI) and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI).
More information
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) roadmaps
Global Pilot Programme on STI for SDGs roadmaps (pdf)
UN Inter-agency Task Team (IATT)