Propelling Guinea-Bissau’s Sustainable Development Goals forward

Upon assuming his role as UN Resident Coordinator for Guinea-Bissau in April 2022, Anthony Kwaku Ohemeng-Boamah swiftly launched a series of innovative initiatives to accelerate the country's progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By forging strategic alliances around the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), he aims to spark catalytic, transformative and joined-up initiatives that enable the Government of Guinea-Bissau to rapidly advance the implementation of the SDGs across the country.

• Central to this collaboration is the rejuvenation of the Development Partners' Coordination Group (DPCG). With a several resident UN entities in Guinea-Bissau and many accredited partners based in Dakar and Lisbon, there is a noticeable tendency for overlap and duplication. The revitalized DPCG unites partners in transformative endeavors, offering policy alternatives to assist national stakeholders in decision-making. Now fully operational, the DPCG's sector teams are flourishing under the co-leadership of UN agencies and other Government’s development partners.
   
• To further streamline efforts and improve coordination between the UN and national partners, the Resident Coordinator also regularly convenes strategic meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Vice President, civil society, private sector groups, and other stakeholders. This increased dialogue is helping lay the groundwork for more joint initiatives between the UN, the government other key partners. 
   
• One such initiative focuses on leveraging primary health care systems to enhance human capital and accelerate the achievement of key SDGs. This idea led to a UN-wide advocacy with the government, culminating in a national forum to revitalize primary health care in Guinea-Bissau. The initiative aims to mitigate COVID-19's adverse effects on access, use, and quality of essential life-saving services, including child vaccinations, trained medical corps, and availability of essential drugs at health facilitates; all of which support SDG 3 indicators and targets. This collaboration led to the approval of the National Call for Action, which envisions uninterrupted access to a minimum package of high-quality healthcare services for all communities, particularly women, children, and vulnerable groups. It also provides guidance on crucial reforms needed to make the primary health care system more resilient and functional.
   
• Under the Resident Coordinator’s leadership, the UN Country Team also supported the preparation and presentation of the first Voluntary National Review for last year’s High-Level Political Forum at UN Headquarters. This landmark engagement marked a turning point for a nation long affected by instability, showcasing its commitment to charting a fresh course. It also reemphasized the importance of data for baselining and measuring qualitative change to partners and stakeholders.
   
• Through the strategic use of SDG Funds, the Resident Coordinator is encouraging the UNCT to pursue a high-impact social protection project. WFP, UNICEF and UNFPA serve as the project's implementers, supporting the government in strengthening the capacity of national institutions to deliver social protection systems on a pilot scale for vulnerable communities. 
   
• As Guinea-Bissau anticipates a legislative election in June, and upon request by the Government. Ohemeng-Boamah leads the UNCT in mobilizing financial and technical resources to ensure a transparent and inclusive election process. Recognizing the critical role of successful elections in maintaining the nation's stability, he is facilitating efforts to secure maximum support from the UN and partners. Through missions to Dakar, Senegal, and the DPCG, the groundwork is being laid for a successful election in Guinea-Bissau.