NDPC ends regional consultation in Accra

The National Development Planning Commission has ended its regional consultation to solicit opinions from its stakeholders towards the long term development policy framework in Accra.

The two day stakeholder consultation meeting which started on Thursday included representatives of political parties, representatives of Regional House of Chiefs, students, various associations as well as Nii Laryea Afotey Agboh, Greater Accra Regional Minister.

The participants were grouped into sections of social, economic and environmental development as well as institutional development or governance; Ghana and the international Community, and students’ perspective to research and development.

Nii Afotey Agbo said the chiefs during the meeting complained about land problems while the market women also complained about the structures of the markets; therefore the Ministry will address the land problems and consider re-structuring of the market centres.

We should all plan ahead in unity and with love for our nation, by putting each other on its toes when the person falls and this will take the country far, he said.

He said the most important thing is to educate Ghanaians on what is right and not sharing opinions that will favour the person’s political party but the entire nation.

He said activities of some citizens where public servants refuse to work efficiently because it is not his or her political party that is in power; so that the government can be blamed of ineffectiveness must be put to a halt.

Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Director General of NDPC, said the consultation journey has been successful and the Commission has received the needed feedbacks from the various regional stakeholders that will enhance the operation of the Commission.

“It is important that we undertake the national consultation because the Commissioners could not just sit comfortably in their offices to draft a plan for the whole nation to follow without their consent”, he said.

Dr Thompson said sometimes traditional rulers are unfortunately left out of such development issues even when they know more about how to develop their areas; hence the need to make them important stakeholders in the policy preparation.

He said the Commission will present the reports from the consultation to the general public in early 2016 for a nationwide assessment.

Among the issues raised on the platform by the participants included corruption, cleaner cities, waste recycling, and the need to develop our slums.

On agriculture, participants urged the Commission to consider policies on modernized agricultural industries; uses of modern technology in agricultural practices; investing in fertilizer research and efforts to build more industries that process primary goods.

Other issues discussed include how to make the citizens consume made in Ghana products; efforts to make the country import less and export more; and the need to change prevailing attitudes towards public sector jobs.

Some participants also asked the Commission to consider policies that would lead to the establishment of cultural tourist bureaus outside the country to promote the Ghanaian way of life; the need to adopt a common national language; and Members of Parliament and the entire citizenry be encouraged to wear local fabrics.