President Nana Akufo-Addo has, in consultation with the Council of State, appointed a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, as the Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

Prof. Adei has expertise in leadership, governance, public management, finance, economics, marketing and marriage counselling.

He has since 2013 been with Ashesi University College, where he is currently the Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Leadership and Economics after being with Pentecost University College, Accra from 2009 to 2013.

He was, among others, Head of UN System in South Africa (September 1994 – February 1995), UNDP Resident Representative in Namibia (1995 – 1999), Economist and Chief of the Directorate of Africa Bureau, UNDP, New York (1989 – 1995); Senior Economist of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London (1986 – 1989) and staff of the Ghana Investment Centre rising to Deputy Director and Head Research (1973 – 1985).

He has taught Economics at both the University of Ghana and the University of Sydney and undertaken several consultancy assignments. The core mandate of the NDPC as stated in Article 87 of the 1992 Constitution, is to “advise the President on development planning policy and strategy”, and, “at the request of the President or Parliament, or on its own initiative,” do the following:

(a) Study and make strategic analyses of macroeconomic and structural reform options;

(b) Make proposals for the development of multi-year rolling plans taking into consideration the resource potential and comparative advantage of the different districts of Ghana;

(c) Make proposals for the protection of the natural and physical environment;

(d) Make proposals for ensuring the even development of the districts of Ghana by the effective utilisation of available resources; and

(e) Monitor, evaluate and coordinate development policies, programmes and projects.

The Commission, “shall also perform such other functions relating to development planning as the President may direct”.