By Iddi Yire
Accra, May 20, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a 37-Member National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), reminding the Commissioners that Ghanaians increasingly demand a stable and predictable path for national development that transcends electoral cycles and partisan politics.
The eighth Commission, which is chaired by Dr Nii Moi Thompson, replaces the 49-Member previous Commission.
The NDPC was established under Articles 86 and 87 of the 1992 Constitution as part of the Executive.
The National Development Planning Commission Act, 1994 (Act 479) and the National Development Planning (System) Act, 1994 (Act 480), provide the core legal framework for the establishment of the Commission and the performance of its functions.
President Mahama charged members of the Commission to work together to deliver a development plan that charts a bold and transformative path for the nation, and one that would guide future generations and liberate Ghanaians from the limitations of the past.
H said provisions of the Constitution empowered the Commission to prepare National Development Plans, monitor and evaluate the performance of government programmes and provide informed advice to the President and Parliament through rigorous research and policy analysis.
“This is a significant mandate that demands broad consultation and active engagement with citizens across all sectors of society,” the President said.
“Over the years, the Commission has upheld this responsibility, and I trust that under your leadership, it will continue to do so with renewed diligence, integrity and commitment.”
Article 10(5) of the Constitution enjoins the President to present a Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies to Parliament within two years of assuming office and the President explained that since 1994, that task had been carried out in close collaboration with the Commission.
He said preparations were underway for his Administration’s next coordinated programme.
“My office stands ready to support this important process as the programme will reflect not only the vision and policy priorities of this government but also the collective aspirations of the Ghanaian people,” the President said.
He said Coordinated Programme would also be the foundation for the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework as had been the practice.
The President reiterated that the framework would guide the operations of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies over the next four years.
The President invoked the legacy of Ghana’s first leader, Kwame Nkrumah, emphasising the need for a long-term vision to break free from the country’s reliance on primary commodities.
“Nearly 70 years after independence, our economy continues to rely heavily on a narrow range of primary commodities, with limited diversification and value addition.This reality reflects the persistence of structural constraints that continue to hold us bac-proof that in many respects, we remain ‘prisoners of our past.”
The President said since the completion of the 40-year National Development Plan in 2017, under the leadership of Dr Nii Moi Thompson, who now returns to chair the Commission, other frameworks with similar long-term ambitions had emerged.
Notable among these were the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, the Ghana at 100 Long-Term Development Framework, and the Vision 2057 Perspective Framework.
He asked the Commission to consolidate all these various efforts into a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking national development plan.
This, he said 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.
“The task before you is immense, but I’m confident in your collective expertise, experience, and commitment,” President Mahama said.
Dr Nii Moi Thompson, the Chairman of the NDPC in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the President for entrusting them with such an important responsibility.
On behalf of all the Commissioners, Dr Thompson pledged their commitment to fulfill to the best of their ability the duties and obligations that come with this responsibility.
GNA
Lydia Kukua Asamoah