Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has urged duty-bearers in Balaka District to conduct awareness campaigns on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to fast-track their implementation by 2030.

Speaking on Tuesday in the district, the ministry’s national child development officer Kondwani Mhone said lack of awareness, resources and poverty were some of the challenges facing the implementation of the SDGs.

He said: “Our impression from the tracking exercise is that community members think development is the responsibility of government only.

Nkisi: There are enablers to achieve SDGs

“For example, to eliminate hunger, people need adequate inputs and proper extension services, but they cannot demand the same.”

Mhone said people lack awareness on how achieving SDGs can improve the socioeconomic development of the country.

He said the ministry, in conjunction with the National Planning Commission (NPC), is engaging district councils to ensure people know about the SDGs.

Balaka District Civil Society Organisations Network chairperson John Bamusi said the district needs to work hard to achieve the SDGs.

“High poverty levels and the Covid-19 pandemic are some of the challenges affecting the implementation of SDGs in the district,” he said.

NPC development planning officer Ruth Nkisi said consultations have shown that many people doubt the achievement of SDGs by 2030.

“There are strategies and interventions with timeframes highlighted with pillars and enablers to achieve the goals,” she said.

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