The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for renewed and decisive national commitment to prioritise the welfare of children and adolescents, stressing that placing their needs at the centre of Ghana’s development agenda is essential for the country’s long-term growth, resilience, and stability.

She made the call at the closing session of the Strategic Planning Forum held from 26 to 28 January 2026 at Royal Senchi. The forum was organised by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in collaboration with UNICEF to strengthen coordination and accelerate progress on child-centred Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The welfare of our children is not optional; it is fundamental,” the Vice President stated. “Ghana’s future is not a distant dream — it is embodied in the lives of the children we see around us today. Their health, education, and protection are the cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development.”

Highlighting Ghana’s progress in child development outcomes, she cited high immunisation coverage rates of between 95 and 97 percent for key childhood vaccines, declining under-five mortality rates, and strong school enrolment and completion levels. She also commended Ghana for fully meeting its USD 24.5 million immunisation co-financing obligation in 2025, describing it as “a bold commitment to protecting millions of children from preventable diseases.”

The Vice President further urged NDPC to establish a robust mechanism to track commitments made at the forum, ensuring accountability and sustained implementation. “Every child deserves a fair chance. Let us act — together, and now,” she emphasised.

Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission, underscored the significance of the three-day engagement and reaffirmed Government’s commitment to translating dialogue into measurable outcomes.

She noted that the forum reinforced a core development principle: that the wellbeing of children and young people is foundational to sustainable national development and a constitutional obligation of the State. “Our responsibility to children is not optional; it is a constitutional and developmental imperative,” she stated, referencing Article 36 of the 1992 Constitution, which enjoins the State to safeguard the welfare of all citizens and ensure balanced and equitable development.

Dr Smock Amoah praised participants for the quality of dialogue, the spirit of collaboration, and the shared commitment demonstrated throughout the forum. She added that the presence of the Vice President signalled the highest level of national resolve to improve outcomes for children and adolescents.

Mr Zia Choudhury, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, reiterated the commitment of the United Nations system to supporting the Government of Ghana in translating child-focused priorities into concrete, results-driven actions. “The true measure of our success will be how effectively these priorities are embedded within national planning frameworks and translated into real results for every young Ghanaian,” he said.

Mr. Richard Tweneboah-Koduah, Director of Research at the Commission, presented key commitments agreed by stakeholders to address systemic bottlenecks in achieving child-centred SDG targets, including strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, improving data systems, and enhancing financing for child-sensitive interventions.