President John Dramani Mahama has directed the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to work with Parliament to merge all development plans into a unified national plan.
He has stressed the importance of a national strategy that aligns with Ghanaians’ needs, going beyond electoral cycles and politics.
Citing Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Seven-Year Development Plan as an example, he expressed optimism that it can guide Ghana’s development trajectory beyond partisan agendas.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 43-member Commission, chaired by Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, the President emphasized the need for a clear national development roadmap that transcends regime changes and political interests.
“Ghanaians increasingly demand a stable and predictable path for national development that transcends our electoral cycles and partisan politics,” he stated.
He further explained, “I’m reminded of the words of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in his visionary seven-year development plan, where he stated, ‘The economic policies will lack direction and consistency unless they are firmly related to a clear vision of the structure of the economy towards which we are moving. It is only in the longer view that it is rational to project any really radical transformation of our economic system. In the very short period, we remain prisoners of our past.'”
President Mahama highlighted some of the plans that have emerged since the completion of the 40-year National Development Plan in 2017, which he believes could be incorporated into the new one.
“Notable among these are the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, the Ghana at 100 Long-Term Development Framework and the Vision 2057 Perspective Framework. I urge the commission to consolidate all these various efforts into a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking National Development Plan.”
The President emphasised that the plan should be crafted through consultations with the public and legislature, ensuring it represents the people’s aspirations and remains responsive to evolving societal needs through periodic reviews.
“This must be done in close collaboration and consultation with Parliament and the people’s representatives to ensure that the final plan reflects a broad national consensus and is subject to regular review in response to evolving domestic and global challenges,” he stated.
