By Alex Ababio
Accra-President John Dramani Mahama has officially inaugurated the eighth National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), charging the body to craft a comprehensive, long-term development blueprint that transcends political administrations and secures Ghana’s future prosperity.
At a ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, President Mahama drew on the legacy of Ghana’s founding father, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, calling for a strategic departure from the nation’s overreliance on raw 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,” the President remarked.
“This reality reflects the persistence of structural constraints that continue to hold us back—proof that, in many respects, we remain ‘prisoners of our past.’”
Citing existing policy documents such as the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, the Ghana@100 Long-term Development Framework, and the Vision 2057 Perspective Framework, President Mahama called on the NDPC to harmonise these initiatives into a single, forward-looking plan. He stressed the need for consensus-building and national unity.
“This must be done in close collaboration with Parliament and the people’s representatives,” he said, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity in the national planning process.
Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, who spearheaded the 40-Year National Development Plan in 2017, now chairs the commission. President Mahama expressed confidence in the commission’s ability to shape a development pathway that is adaptable to both domestic and international dynamics.
He further emphasized that the commission must lead the preparation of the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies, a constitutionally mandated document that must be submitted to Parliament within two years.
“This programme will reflect not only the vision and policy priorities of this government but also the collective aspirations of the Ghanaian people,” the President noted.
According to him, this document will serve as the foundation for the next medium-term national development policy framework, guiding government ministries, departments, agencies, and local authorities over the next four years.
The NDPC is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s development agenda, ensuring continuity, coherence, and resilience across successive governments.