Former Minister Challenges Incumbent Minister

Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, former Minister of Planning and Regional Integration says that the “VISION 2020” document cannot be replaced with the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) without Parliamentary approval.

A letter to the ‘Times’ by the ex-Minister in reaction to the paper’s front-page story of November 16, said, “I have read your front-page story on the above in the Friday, November 16, 2001, issue of the Ghanaian Times in which the following statements are attributed to Dr. Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Cooperation:

“Government has replaced the “Vision 2020” document with “Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy” (GPRS). Vision 2020 lacked linkage between its targets and the national budget. There should have been harmony between the national budget and the targets of the strategy so that objectives would agree with funding from the budget. Vision 2020 did not have specific costs.”

The ex-Minister’s letter said on the assumption that Nduom has been correctly reported, and as the immediate past Minister of Planning, Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration, I would like to comment as follows for the benefit of the public:

“Vision 2020” can not be replaced with the GPRS, because the Document is in fulfilment of Article 36(5) of the Constitution which states as follows: “-within two years after assuming office, the President shall present to Parliament a coordinated programme of economic and social development policies, including agricultural and industrial programmes at all levels and in all the regions of Ghana”.

“I do not see the GPRS responding to this constitutional requirement. On the other hand, if the GPRS is the NPP Government’s compliance with Article 36(5), then: (a) it must be presented as such: (b) it must be presented to Parliament”, the letter said.