Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Isaac Nii Moi Thompson, says Ghana’s development agenda cannot succeed if the Commission is treated as peripheral to economic decision-making.
Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Dr Thompson stressed that NDPC’s mandate goes far beyond advisory commentary and places it at the centre of national planning, budgeting and structural transformation.
“The Commission is the ultimate custodian of national development,” he said.
Dr Thompson reminded that by law, no ministry, department or agency can submit a budget request without NDPC’s involvement.
“No MDA, ministry, department or agency, can submit their budget request to the Minister of Finance without first going through NDPC,” he said.
“We are supposed to review them and certify them.”
According to him, this makes the Commission central to aligning government spending with long-term national priorities, rather than short-term political considerations.
Dr Thompson cautioned against equating IMF-backed economic stabilisation programmes with development, describing stabilisation as only one phase of a much broader process.
“A stabilisation programme is just what it is – stabilisation,” he said. “After stabilisation, you are supposed to grow.”
He added that growth alone is not enough.
“You are not just supposed to grow, but expand,” he said, explaining that expansion means the economy must grow faster and become structurally stronger over time.
Dr Thompson said issues such as the structure of the economy, the strength of institutions and long-term productivity fall squarely under NDPC’s responsibilities.
“We are supposed to advise the President on macroeconomic issues and structural issues,” he said.
“The structure of the economy, the integrity of state institutions, and the various structures of the economy – that’s our focus.”
He argued that these issues are often neglected in favour of short-term fixes.
“Until we deal with these structural issues, not much is going to happen,” he warned.
Dr Thompson revealed that he was concerned when he learned that IMF consultations had taken place without NDPC’s involvement, prompting him to raise the issue directly.
“I made it clear that the Commission is the ultimate custodian of national development,” he said, recalling a meeting with the IMF’s country representative.
According to him, while exchange rate policy often dominates discussions, it is only one factor among many.
“The exchange rate is actually just one of several factors that determine the international competitiveness of a country,” he said.
Dr Thompson said Ghana’s persistent development challenges stem from weak coordination between planning, budgeting and institutional reform.
For him, the answer lies not in more time for political officeholders, but in respecting institutions designed to think beyond election cycles.
“Growth and transformation of the economy is our responsibility,” he said.
Dr Thompson maintained that sidelining NDPC would only repeat old mistakes.
“Stabilisation is just part of it,” he said. “Transformation is the real work.”
