The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) wants Ghana to adopt a binding long-term national development plan that successive governments would be required to work within.
The proposal forms part of the Institute’s response to the constitutional review recommendations of the Prempeh Committee and the government’s position on them.
The IEA supports the creation of an independent National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) with the authority to formulate binding national development plans.
It also wants the tenure of NDPC members to be separated from that of the President to ensure that the Commission can operate beyond changes in government.
Presenting the proposals at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, September 2, former Chief Justice and distinguished fellow at IEA Ghana, Sophia Akuffo said political parties must align their manifestos with the national development plan approved by the NDPC.
The IEA argues that Ghana’s development priorities should not be repeatedly changed whenever power changes hands.
“Instead of repeatedly resetting Ghana’s development agenda with every change of government, a credible long-term national development framework can provide continuity while allowing successive governments sufficient room to pursue their electoral mandates within an agreed national direction,” the Institute stated.
Under the proposal, Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies would remain responsible for implementation, while the independent NDPC would coordinate, monitor and evaluate the national plan.
Government has rejected the Prempeh Committee’s proposal, arguing that giving an independent body such powers could transfer executive functions to unelected technocrats and limit the policy choices of future governments.
The IEA, however, maintains that a credible long-term framework would give Ghana greater continuity in its development efforts while still allowing elected governments to pursue the mandates given to them by voters.
