Stakeholders in the North East Region are advocating for sustainable jobs and climate change solutions as key components of Ghana’s long-term national development plan.
North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, underscored the region’s commitment to ensuring that the national development planning process reflects the unique needs and aspirations of the North East Region.
“As one of the youngest regions in the country, we are presented with both enormous opportunities and significant responsibilities,” he stated. “It is therefore imperative that the perspectives, experiences and insights of stakeholders within the North East Region are adequately captured in the national development planning process,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the region’s steady progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and local governance. However, he stressed the critical need to address persistent developmental challenges, particularly creating viable and long-term job opportunities for the region’s growing youth population, addressing the increasing threats posed by climate change, which disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, and expanding access to essential infrastructure and social services across all communities.
Mr. Tia called for strong partnerships and coordinated efforts among all stakeholders, including Regional Coordinating Councils, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities, development partners, civil society organizations and the private sector.
“Let us use this platform to share our perspectives, identify priority areas for development, and propose practical and innovative solutions that will accelerate the socio-economic transformation of our region and our nation,” he urged.
Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, reinforced the commitment to fiscal discipline and strategic planning. He announced a systemic recalibration wherein financial allocations from the Ministry of Finance to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) would be contingent upon adherence to the national development plan.
This measure he says, aims to enhance financial compliance and ensure that developmental initiatives are strategically aligned with national priorities.
Dr. Thompson also addressed the detrimental impact of conflict on regional development, particularly in the North East Region. He implored residents and stakeholders to proactively resolve disputes and foster a peaceful environment conducive to sustainable development.
“Conflict is one of the major factors affecting development in the North East Region,” Dr. Thompson stated, urging residents and stakeholders to resolve differences and embrace peace for development.
According to Dr Thompson the stakeholder engagement, orchestrated by the National Development Planning Commission, is designed to gather essential input for the creation of a comprehensive long-term national development plan for Ghana.
This plan is intended to provide strategic direction for national development, inform political party manifestos, guide medium-term development plans and ensure policy consistency across successive administrations.
By Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe
