PNC, GCPP approves NDPC’s dev. plan

The People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) has endorsed the National Developmental Policy framework by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) which would be launched on August 4, 2015.

The approval followed steps undertaken by the Commission, in relation to a Constitutional Review Commission’s report of 2011, to establish a long-term national development plan that will ensure continuity in governance even in the midst of change of government.

The two political parties endorsed the National Developmental Policy framework during an interaction with Executives of the National Development Planning Commission in Accra.

The Interaction formed part of the NDPC's consultations with all political parties, former Presidents - Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor, and other democratic bodies on the 40 Year National Development Policy Draft.

Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, the PNC National Chairman, said the Party finds the step by the Commission as a good one that needs the support of everyone, irrespective of one’s political ideology.

He explained that, it is important to consider the plan because it will ensure continuity in governance and would help the country to progress, hence the party’s support for the plan.

Mr Bernard Mornah, PNC General Secretary said it is important that the country re-visits the era of development plans to shape the destiny of the country.

He said the party wants the framework to be part of the demands of the Constitution so that the content will be binding on all political parties.

Hajia Adjara Aliu Mensah, First Vice Chairperson of the party asked the Commission to consider measures that can make it possible for a government to be prosecuted, "if it turns a blind eye on clearly stated developmental projects that should be implemented."

Dr Henry Lartey, the leader of the GCPP, assured the NDPC of the Party’s full support and commitment in the plan.

Dr Lartey said GCPP is a pluralist party that supports both capitalism and socialism; therefore the party is ready to support any step that would promote national cohesion and development.

“I am looking forward to see a policy framework that would support all inclusive governance,” he added.

Mr John Amekah, the GCPP 2012 Vice Presidential Candidate asked the Commission to ensure that there is a legal backing to the plan, to ensure that leaders of government operate within a certain range so that they do not abuse the demands of the plan.

He, however, noted that his party believes that the solution to the developmental problems of the country is ‘domestication’, a system where the natural resources and raw materials will be used to the advantage and growth of the citizens.

Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, NDPC Director General told the parties that the long-term national development plan, which is expected to span 40 years between 2018 -2057, will be flexible enough for any government to draw up its own medium-term plans towards achieving the vision and goals of the plan, which are based on the Constitution, especially the Directive Principles of State Policy.

He noted that, the lack of cohesion and synergy in developmental planning is a problem facing the nation and therefore the probability of some of the plans being altered when there is a change of government is very high.

“For a long time now, the nation has had series of plans and currently, the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda one and two, which serves as a reference point for the government between 2014 and 2017, is a short term plan,” Dr Thomson said.

He said the long term plan will ensure cohesion such that the government in power continues the work of the previous government so that it does not put the development of the country into instability.