Sustainable Development Goals: Role of family

The family is a fundamental social group; traditionally consisting of parents nurturing their children into responsible and useful adults in society.

Though the government and the United Nations are playing their part to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before 2030, the journey starts with the family, which is arguably the first agency in the process of achieving the goals.

If the government is playing its part in achieving the SDGs, how can the family, as an institution also help in making the goals a reality?

The family, as a social institution, has functions, such as reproduction, the provision of food, housing and clothing, love and affection, security and many other fundamental functions.

Goals

All of the 17 SDGs require the effort of both the government and the locals to be successful.

The goals are: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate change, life below water, life on land, peaceful, justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the goals.

Most of the goals like one on poverty, two, three, four and six need families in ensuring their success, because they are more or less similar to the roles of families in society.

The action to end poverty in a country must first of all be decided by the family.

The creation of wealth for rich economies begins with the family.

Parents, as the backbone in families, must make sure they use the right means to acquire wealth and also teach their children how to do same.

Role

For the country to eradicate poverty, the government has to provide employment opportunities for the citizens and also an environment conducive for personal businesses too to thrive.

The SDGs can be achieved before or by 2030, if the social institutions, like the family, as well as economic, religion and educational institutions play their respective parts.

• The writer is a student journalist at the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
E-mail: tsotsooquayegrace@gmail.com