SDGs: What are our strengths, the gaps and opportunities as a College?
1. Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
SDGs: What are our strengths, the
gaps and opportunities as a College?
9th KNUST Summer School
SDG4UNiS
F. Nimoh
CANR, KNUST
NCB Ground Floor, Wednesday, September 01, 2021
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Sustainability: Key Elements/Pillars
• Sustainability - often defined as meeting the
needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet theirs
• It has three main pillars:
Economic, Environmental and Social
• These three pillars are informally referred to as:
People, Planet and Profits
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SDGs & Welfare
• Welfare - the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group
• Three indicators in measuring welfare:
Health, Education and Income - (HEI)
• HEI – measured as an Index (Human Development
Index-HDI), thus used to measure Welfare
• HDI:
Health: A long and healthy life (Life expectancy at birth)
Educational attainment: enrolment rates (adult literacy, primary to
tertiary)
Standard of living: real per-capita income measured at PPP
Variables combined in a composite index (0 to 1) to compare economies
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CANR Strategic Plan: 2016-2025
• A road map to advance knowledge and technology in
sustainable agriculture, renewable natural resources
management and rural devt. in Ghana and worldwide
• The Plan is patterned along the lines of the University's
overall Strategic Plan
• Three phases of the Plan:
Short-Term: 2016 - 2019
Medium Term: 2020 - 2022
Long Term: 2023 – 2025
• Note: The Plan is not cast in stone and thus allows for
review and changes to reflect the dynamic nature and
demands of society
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CANR Strategic Plan: 2016-2025 – contd.
STRATEGIC MANDATE
• The College provides higher education, undertakes research and disseminates
knowledge and technology in sustainable agriculture, environment, natural
resources management and rural development
VISION STATEMENT
• The College shall be a lead institution for the advancement of knowledge and
technology in sustainable agriculture, environment, natural resources management
and rural development in Africa
MISSION STATEMENT
• The College seeks to promote agricultural productivity, rural development and the
sustainable management of natural resources, through teaching, entrepreneurship
training, research and extension of knowledge
CORE VALUES
• College committed to adhering to the core values of the University:
Leadership in Innovation and Technology
Culture of Excellence
Diversity and Equal Opportunity for All
Integrity and Stewardship of Resources
Preservation of Environmental Integrity
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Situation Assessment (SWOT) of
CANR & the SDGs
Strengths (positive - capitalise) Weaknesses (negative - eliminate)
1. High Calibre Academic and Non-Academic Staff
2. Good Image and Reputation
3. Unique Programmes in Ghana
4. Collaboration with Academic, Research and
Development-Oriented Institutions
5. Environment and Infrastructure
6. Access to large stretch of land
7. Ability to Undertake Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and mentoring services for Staff
and Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources and Lack of Awareness
of Available Library Services/Information
Opportunities (take advantage) Threats/Challenges (avoid)
1. Academic and Research Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry and Communities
4. Alternative Education Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative Technology and
Government Policy Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with Similar Programmes in Other
Universities
3. Encroachment of College lands, theft and vandalisation of
research materials
4. Irregular Power Supply
5. Increasing Cost of training and Limited Employment
Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration and Poor Service Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate devolution of power and resources from
Central administration to College
CANR Strategic Plan, 2016
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1.Calibre of
Staff
2. Image and Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7. Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
• Qualified and experienced academic,
administrative and technical
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2.Image and
Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7. Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2. Image and
Reputation
3. Unique
Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7. Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
Faculty of Agriculture
• Agricultural Economics,
Agribusiness and Extension
• Animal Science
• Crop and Soil Sciences
• Horticulture
Faculty of Renewable Natural
Resources
• Wildlife and Range Management
• Silviculture and Forest
Management
• Agroforestry
• Wood Science and Technology
Management
• Fisheries and Watershed
Management
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2. Image and
Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7. Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
All Government Institutions/Private partners
• MoFA, MESTI, EXIM Bank, AgriImpact, etc.
International Organizations:
• DANIDA, USAID, FAO, World Bank, IWMI,
United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2. Image and
Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7. Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2. Image and
Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to
land
7. Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
• 600 Ha for farming; 240 Ha for grazing
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2. Image and Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7.Consultancies
8. Industrial Attachment
• Highly qualified staff with experience in
consultancies in all areas of:
Agriculture
Natural resources management
Rural development
• Consultancies in RESEARCH and SERVICE TO
COMMUNITIES, aside Teaching
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CANR Strengths & the SDGs
1. Calibre of Staff
2. Image and
Reputation
3. Unique Programmes
4. Collaboration
5. Environment &
Infrastructure
6. Access to land
7. Consultancies
8.Industrial
Attachment
• Industrial attachment as an integral part of
the training in the College
• A MUST for students to acquire skills to fit
into industry and contribute to national
growth and development agenda
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication Technology
(ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
Academic programmes funding:
• Government subvention (salaries)
• Academic Facility User Fees (AFUF) – 5-
10% of total cost of training students
• Internally generated funds (IGF)
?
?
Effect on the following SDG???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2.Inadequate
Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication Technology
(ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
• Inadequate infrastructure/space for staff
and students
• Most existing classrooms with capacity
for 40 students???
• Structures need rehabilitation
• Libraries need refurbishments and
stocking
Effect on the following SDG???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to
Information and
Communication
Technology (ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
Limited ICT facilities:
• Limits access to information
• Setback on academic and community
service functions
• Disincentive to potential collaborators
• Poor image and effect on efficiency
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication Technology
(ICT)
4. Inadequate Training
for Management
Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
• Administrative staff sometimes lack
the requisite formal management
skills for effective and efficient
delivery of services, especially
during the first few months in office
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication Technology
(ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5.Inadequate
Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
• Increase in strident numbers without
the corresponding increase in staff
strength???
Effect on the following SDG???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication Technology
(ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty
Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
• Low level of collaboration (teaching,
research and extension) among
faculty in College
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication
Technology (ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty
Collaboration
7. Weak linkage
between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff
and Students
9. Limited Online Library
Resources and Awareness of
Available Library
Services/Information
• Not strong College and Industry
linkage to PUSH the R&D Agenda
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information
and Communication Technology
(ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the
Academic Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College
and Industry
8. Inadequate
Counseling and
mentoring services
for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online Library Resources
and Awareness of Available
Library Services/Information
• Implementation framework for
mentoring needs full development
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Weaknesses & the SDGs
1. Inadequate funding
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
3. Limited Access to Information and
Communication Technology (ICT)
4. Inadequate Training for
Management Staff in the Academic
Units
5. Inadequate Staffing
6. Weak Inter-Faculty Collaboration
7. Weak linkage between College and
Industry
8. Inadequate Counseling and
mentoring services for Staff and
Students
9. Limited Online
Library Resources
and Awareness of
Available Library
Services/Information
• Limited on-line library resources,
though NOW indispensable for
teaching and research – experience
of COVID-19 and teaching and
learning ……..
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Threats/Challenges & the SDGs
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with
Similar Programmes
in Other Universities
3. Encroachment of College lands,
theft and vandalisation of
research materials
4. Irregular Power Supply
5. Increasing Cost of training and
Limited Employment Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration and Poor
Service Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate devolution of power
and resources from Central
administration
• Cash inflow dependent on number of
students; …. Competition between
College and other universities
offering degrees in Agriculture and
Natural Resources
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Threats/Challenges & the SDGs
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with Similar
Programmes in Other Universities
3. Encroachment of
College lands, theft
and vandalisation of
research materials
4. Irregular Power Supply
5. Increasing Cost of training and
Limited Employment Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration and Poor
Service Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate devolution of power
and resources from Central
administration
• Persistent claims to portions of
College land by surrounding
communities and within
• Research sites are sometimes
vandalized or stolen
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Threats/Challenges & the SDGs
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with Similar Programmes
in Other Universities
3. Encroachment of College lands, theft
and vandalisation of research
materials
4. Irregular Power
Supply
5. Increasing Cost of training and
Limited Employment Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration and Poor
Service Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate devolution of power
and resources from Central
administration
• Power outages - damage to
equipment and effect on working
hours and academic activities
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Threats/Challenges & the SDGs
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with Similar
Programmes in Other Universities
3. Encroachment of College lands,
theft and vandalisation of
research materials
4. Irregular Power Supply
5. Increasing Cost of
training and Limited
Employment
Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration and Poor
Service Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate devolution of power
and resources from Central
administration
• High cost of training affects
enrolment, practical training and
exposure to industry
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Threats/Challenges & the SDGs
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with Similar
Programmes in Other Universities
3. Encroachment of College lands,
theft and vandalisation of
research materials
4. Irregular Power Supply
5. Increasing Cost of training and
Limited Employment Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration
and Poor Service
Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate devolution of power
and resources from Central
administration
• Relatively low remuneration – a
disincentive to existing staff and
new/potential staff
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Threats/Challenges & the SDGs
1. Inadequate Funding
2. Competition with Similar
Programmes in Other Universities
3. Encroachment of College lands,
theft and vandalisation of
research materials
4. Irregular Power Supply
5. Increasing Cost of training and
Limited Employment Opportunities
6. Low Remuneration and Poor
Service Conditions for Staff
7. Inadequate
devolution of power
and resources from
Central
administration
• System of decentralized
administration not very effective ……
• …… management of academic
programmes and procurement of
goods and services
Effect on the following SDGs???
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and
Research Linkages
and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and
National Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
• Partnerships with international
organizations and institutions
All Government Institutions/Private
partners
• MoFA, MESTI, EXIM Bank,
AgriImpact, etc.
International Organizations:
• DANIDA, USAID, FAO, World Bank,
IWMI, United Nations University in
Tokyo, Japan
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2.Consultancy
Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
• Availability of excellent
consultancy Units (e.g. BIRD)
and Competent Staff in All
Departments
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with
Industry and
Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
• Industry players ready and
willing to collaborate with the
College in training, research
and development projects
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative
Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
• Available Distance Education
platform for academic programmes
Top-up programmers
Refresher courses / Short courses
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
• Commercial production:
Poultry, livestock, fish
Food crops, horticultural products,
forest plantations, furniture production
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income
Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for
Innovative
Technology and
Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
Investments in agriculture and
natural resources:
Govt. flagship programmes in PFJ
Sustainable livelihood alternatives
Youth in Agribusiness training
(Okuafo-Pa)
Value addition to agric.
produces/natural resources
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest
and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
Access to forest reserves, national
parks, traditionally protected
areas, numerous fresh and marine
water bodies for research,
teaching and learning
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional
Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
Close links and members of
professional associations/bodies
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven
Research
10. Alumni Support
Available competent staff to
undertake action-oriented /
demand-driven research for
national and global development
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CANR Opportunities & the SDGs
1. Academic and Research
Linkages and Partnerships
2. Consultancy Services
3. Collaboration with Industry
and Communities
4. Alternative Education
Programmes
5. Income Generation
6. Opportunities for Innovative
Technology and Govt. Policy
Initiative
7. Access to Forest and National
Parks
8. Professional Associations
9. Demand Driven Research
10. Alumni Support
Potential to utilise large pool of
alumni to improve and expand
facilities for teaching and
research
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SDGs & Ghana Devt. Agenda
• Integration of the SDGs into Ghana’s development
agenda is reflected in the country’s Coordinated
Programme of Economic and Social Development Polices
(CPESDP), 2017-2024
• Progress has been varied across the SDGs so far
• However, to accelerate progress and increase efficiency
in achieving the SDGs require following:
1. Identifying bankable SDGs projects
2. Strengthening local government capacity
3. Financing business case development of SDGs projects through philanthropic
activities as well as enhancing private sector engagement
4. Strengthening research and improving linkages between research institutions
government, civil society and the private sector
5. Effective mainstreaming in national development of issues related to children
Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Planning, JUNE 2019
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/23420Ghanas_VNR_report_Final.pdf
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SDGs: What are our strengths, the gaps
and opportunities as a College?
vs.
• CANR-KNUST - Key stakeholder in
attainment of AGENDA 2030
• CANR-KNUST as AGENT of CHANGE