Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has called for effective collaboration between academia and politicians to ensure the attainment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He believes that the disconnection between the two critical stakeholders, has hindered efforts towards national development.

“My hope is that we here, will task leaders in the various enclaves to link up, virtually on daily basis, so that we don’t operate in silos.

“Even if here on the university campus, we’re operating in silos, we can’t build synergies required of us to really expand our frontiers to affect the citizens even here in Ghana,” he said

Mr. Mensah Bonsu, made the call at the closing ceremony of KNUST’s 9^th Summer School for senior members.

The 9^th Summer School under the theme, “SDGs and Universities: Actions toward KNUST’s mandate at 70 and beyond” was to sensitize the University’s staff on the need to implement the SDGs in their work.

He also believes the SDGs can be efficiently attained through technology.

“The efforts of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals should be driven by Technology, whether in agriculture, industry, health, communication, housing, controlling the environment, in infrastructural development and delivery and above all, in education.

Citing Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, he stressed the country’s Constitution is premised on the principles of the SDGs.

“Ghanaians in the exercise of their natural and inalienable rights should establish a framework of government which shall secure for themselves and posterity, the blessings of liberty, equality of opportunity and prosperity,” he said.

He indicated that the country’s contribution to the SDGs would help the planet thrive for both present and future generations.

Meanwhile, representatives of each of the Units/Colleges of the University elaborated on activities they will embark on to contribute their quota to the attainment of the SDGs.

Mr. Kwame Yeboah spoke on behalf of the Finance, Audit and Procurement Unit of the University.

“We the Finance, Audit and Procurement Unit have seen that we play a critical role in the achievement of the SDGs.

“So, as Finance, we’ve realized that to achieve the SDGs, it has a lot to do with money. Our budgetary approach is going to change. We’re going to budget in line with the SDGs,” he said.