President Mahama Inaugurates Eighth National Development Planning Commission
President of the Republic of Ghana H.E John Dramani Mahama has officially unveiled 37 members of the eight(8) National Development Planning Commission today at the Jubilee House.
During the inauguration of the eighth National Development Planning Commission, President Mahama highlighted the commission’s mandate under Articles 86 and 87 of the 1992 Constitution and Act 479 of 1994. The commission’s role includes preparing national development plans, monitoring government programs, and providing advice to the President and Parliament through rigorous research and policy analysis.
“The Commission’s mandate was further reinforced by act 479, these provisions empower the commission to prepare national development plans, monitor and evaluate the performance of government programs and provide informed advice to the President and Parliament through rigorous research and policy analysis.” President Mahama emphasized.
He mentioned the importance of broad consultation and active engagement with citizens across all sectors of society to uphold the commission’s responsibility. Stated The commission’s work is crucial for preparing the next coordinated program of economic and social development policies, which will guide the operations of various government entities over the next four years.
“This is a significant mandate that demands broad consultation and active engagement with citizens across all sectors of society. Over the years, the commission has upheld this responsibility, and I trust that under your leadership, it will continue to do so with renewed diligence, integrity and commitment.”
He called for the growing national interest in a long-term national development plan, emphasizing the need for a stable and predictable path that transcends electoral cycles and partisan politics.
President Mahama references Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s visionary seven-year development plan, highlighting the importance of a clear vision for economic transformation.
“Here, I’m reminded of the words of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in his visionary seven year development plan, and he stated the economic policies will lack direction and consistency, unless they are firmly related to a clear vision of the structure of the economy towards which we are moving. It is only in the longer view, he said, longer view, that it is rational to project any really radical transformation of our economic system, And it goes on to say, in the very short period, we remain prisoners of our past. And so there already, Nkrumah was projecting that we should have a longer view of our path of development.” President Mahama referred.
According to President Mahama Ghana’s economy still heavily relies on primary commodities with limited diversification and value addition, reflecting structural constraints that hinder progress.
He said, various long-term development frameworks have emerged, including the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, the Ghana at 100 Long-Term Development Framework, and the Vision 2057 Perspective Framework.
President Mahama urged the commission to consolidate all existing long-term development efforts into a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking national development plan. The plan must be developed in close collaboration and consultation with Parliament and people’s representatives to ensure broad national consensus.
“I urge the commission to consolidate all these various efforts into a coherent, inclusive and forward looking national development plan. This must be done in close collaboration and consultation with parliament and the people’s representatives to ensure that the final plan reflects a broad national consensus and is subject to regular review and response to evolving domestic and global challenges.” He added.
President Mahama expressed confidence in the commission’s collective expertise, experience, and commitment to deliver a development plan that charts a bold and transformative path for Ghana.
“The task before you is immense, but I’m confident in your collective expertise, experience and commitment, let us work together to deliver a development plan that charts a bold and transformative path for our dear nation, Ghana, and one that will guide future generations and liberate us from the limitations of our past.” President Mahama stressed.
