Don’t be skeptical about Ghana’s progress-NDPC Director General to Ghanaians

By Zaa Admin Last updated Sep 24, 2015

The Director General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Nii Moi Thomson has urged the about 27 million Ghanaians not to be skeptical about Ghana’s progress. He said countries have done it and with patriotism, Ghana can be like Malaysia and Singapore.

Presenting the proposed 40 years development plan at the two days 3rd NDPC consultative public forum in Tamale, Dr Thomson said Ghana needs to plan well to meet the increasing population which is expected to hit 50 million by 2050. Ghana’s constitution Act 815 requires that the country has a long-term national development plan. Dr. Thonson said the 40-year long term natioal development plan if embraced by all Ghanaians will transform Ghana into a country that every citizen will be proud of.

The two days public consultative forum brought together northern regional house of chiefs, civil society organizations, 11 political parties, students from second cycle institutions, persons with disabilities, development partners and other interest groups

Dr. Thomson said Ghanaians should be committed to the NDPC process. The commissioner of the NDCP, lawyer Kwame Jantuah explained when the plan comes out in 2018, it will be binding on all the political parties because the parties are instrumental from on the onset.

The NDPC commissioner also hinted that, security will be treated with the seriousness it deserves in the planning because it is key in every nation’s development.

The NDPC commissioner said a national development plan has been done before and successive governments have also put in place political planning.

Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru Limuna said lack of long time plan has been dawdling the country effort in addressing the problems confronting it.

He also bemoaned comparisons of regimes sayIng it affecting the country’s development progress.

The long-term policy he explained will help address the numerous challenges confronting the largest region in Ghana (northern region).

The minister reiterated his persistent calls for peaceful coexistence among the people adding conflict situations in the region will adversely affect any long-term plan in the country.

Political party’s commitment

Dr William Ahazde who represented the NDC said the party believe long-term plans will enable the country archives its development. The NDC government he said is fully committed in the implementation of the 40 years development plan.

Mr Kojo Afari of NPP said Ghana definitely need change and any plan to help address problems facing Ghanaians are welcome by the party. He however call for an end to profligate spending by governments.

The leader and founder of GCPP, Dr Henry Lartey said both the NDC and NPP has not help Ghanaians in their plans and that the only way for Ghana was domesticate everything. PNC 2016 running hopeful, Dr endorsed the 40 years proposed development plan for Ghana. The PNC he said believe in what he called categorical imperatives …..discipline is key..all the political parties are equal to the NDCP plan he added.

Madam Eva Loko of PPP congratulated NDPC team for finally winning the “warn” to implement the long-term plan.

According to her, the plan should be dynamic so that the people of Ghana can over the years review it to suit the exigences of the time.

The plan must be mandatory and legally binding for all government, the former director general of Ghana broadcasting corporation proposed. The plan should be something every Ghanaian dream off from the top to the local level and entreated citizens to show keen interest to ensure that their inputs are factor in before is gazetted. The CPP representative, Mr Yaw Adu Larbi faults success government’s after the fists president of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah for not following the 7 years CPP government development plan.

The NDPC northern region representative, Professor Seidu Alhassan made passionate appeals to Ghanaians to change their attitudes towards national issues and let the nations interest be first. The paramount chief of Sagnarigu Traditional area, Ambassador Yakubu Abdulai represented the northern regional house of Chiefs.