By Mildred
Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, June 22, GNA – Professor George
Gyan-Baffour, Minister for Planning has stressed the need for appreciation and
active engagement of all stakeholders within the boundaries of a new planning
culture in terms of socio-economic development that creates space for all to
participate.
“As a
government, we are acutely conscious that the attainment of the President’s
vision for the development of the country requires not only an awareness of its
tenets…but recognises the role of state and non-state actors”.
Professor Gyan-Baffour said this at the
Western Regional ‘Dissemination of the Coordinated Programme of Economic and
Social Development Policies for 2017-2024’ in Takoradi.
He pointed out that although the fourth
republic had had four such vision documents, the significance of the Akufo Addo
led Vision was the presentation of the document to parliament within the first
year of assumption of power by the President.
He added that the vision document was uniquely
crafted to take cognizance of other Global Development Agenda such as UN
Sustainable Development Goals and the AU’s Agenda 2063.
The coordinated programme was an embodiment of
the President’s experience and conviction, the aspirations of the people of
Ghana and also reflected the international development environment.
It was a forward looking document indicating
the development path to chart, a reference source for validating decisions and
actions and an indicator for assessing performance and accomplishment.
“You will therefore note that, in
collaboration with my ministry and the Regional Coordinating Council, the civil
society and private sectors are here not only as a show of support but as key partners to government achieving a
shared vision”, he added.
He said the overall aim of government economic
policies was to double the per capita income /GDP by 2024 whiles stabilising
the economy and stimulating growth to an average of at least 7.2 per cent
within the period.
The sources of economic growth in the
stipulated time may include; agriculture industry, services with opportunity
for all in the areas of education and training, health, food security,
population management, child welfare, water and sanitation, gender equality,
support for the aged,
The rest are: youth development, disability,
social protection, employment and decent work, environment, infrastructure and
human settlement.
The policy would also deepen the governance process
and understanding among citizenry, fight corruption and enhance public
accountability.
It would also strengthen Ghana’s role in
international affairs by leveraging on security credentials to promote
political and economic interest abroad, enhance the country’s international
image and a three-step approach to integrate Ghana’s global development agenda
commitments in national development strategies.
The Minister for Planning mentioned
attitudinal change, improved workplace conditions and productivity as well as
investment in Research and development as drivers of the economic and
development policies.
He pointed out that there would be other
flagship projects and initiatives all aimed at creating sound economic and
social footings to accelerate growth and development.
Mr Kyei
Yamoah, a Representative from the Civil Society Organisations prayed that the
current coordinated programme would help citizens to voice their aspirations,
concerns and alternatives for consideration by policy makers, “By undertaking
these interventions we will be giving substance to governments’ policies
emanating out of the coordinated programme”.
He therefore pledged civil society commitment
to support the government to mobilise the needed resources for the task ahead.
GNA