NDPC Deepens Regional Consultations in Volta Region, Emphasises Local Economic Transformation

The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, has underscored the central role of local economies in shaping Ghana’s overall development trajectory, stressing that national growth is ultimately the sum of progress achieved across districts and regions.

Addressing stakeholders at a regional consultative engagement in the Volta Region on Wednesday, 18th February 2026, as part of the Commission’s nationwide consultations toward a consolidated long-term national development plan, Dr. Thompson emphasised that sustainable national transformation must begin at the local level.

“When we speak about the national economy, we are referring to the aggregation of all our 261 local economies,” he stated. “If local economies are not thriving, there is nothing meaningful to aggregate at the national level.”

He cautioned against relying solely on broad national indicators without interrogating their geographic distribution. While data may show growth in sectors such as construction, he noted that such expansion is often unevenly distributed.

“We may measure solvent consumption and conclude that the construction sector is expanding,” he explained, “but we must ask: where is this construction occurring? If it is concentrated largely in Accra, what does that imply for balanced and inclusive development across the country?”

Dr. Thompson indicated that the Commission is introducing innovative planning approaches that move beyond traditional aggregate metrics, with a deliberate focus on spatial equity and inclusive growth. According to him, development must be measured not only by national averages but by the tangible improvements experienced within communities.

The Chairman also called for the modernisation of Monitoring and Evaluation systems, emphasising that technological advancements now make real-time performance tracking both possible and necessary.

“We should not have to wait an entire year to assess progress when digital tools allow near real-time monitoring,” he noted. “Accountability must be timely, measurable, and responsive.”

He further clarified the constitutional mandate and operational character of the Commission. Established under Ghana’s Constitution, the NDPC comprises regional representatives, ex-officio members such as the Minister for Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and professionals appointed on the basis of expertise.

“We are not merely a board that meets quarterly,” Dr. Thompson emphasised. “We are a working Commission, actively coordinating and shaping Ghana’s development agenda with urgency and purpose.”

He concluded by urging participants to actively contribute to shaping a unified long-term national vision.

“National development cannot be imposed; it must be collectively owned. What we build together today will determine the prosperity of future generations,” he stated.

Welcoming participants, the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, described the engagement as both timely and strategic. He recalled that on 20th May 2025, during the inauguration of the 8th Commission, President John Dramani Mahama highlighted the challenge posed by the existence of multiple long-term frameworks, including the 40-Year Long-Term Development Plan, the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, Ghana at 100, and Vision 2057.

“Each of these frameworks reflects deep patriotic thought and a shared aspiration for Ghana’s prosperity,” the Minister observed. “However, as His Excellency rightly noted, the coexistence of parallel visions necessitates coherent integration and strategic alignment.”

He stressed that transformative development requires a single, unified national direction.

“For development to be truly sustainable and transformative, it must be guided by one clear and coherent national vision,” he said. “It is therefore timely that the President has tasked the NDPC with consolidating these frameworks into a unified long-term development plan to guide Ghana’s trajectory for generations to come.”

The Regional Minister further underscored the importance of inclusive participation in shaping the country’s future.

“This engagement is not a routine meeting,” he emphasised. “It is a critical pillar of a broader nationwide consultative process aimed at building consensus and ensuring that citizens at all levels have a voice in defining Ghana’s long-term vision.”

The team also paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, where, addressing the traditional leaders, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson highlighted the critical role of local economies in shaping Ghana’s national development trajectory. He noted that sustainable transformation must begin at the local level, he reinforced the need for a shared national vision, citing lessons from past planning efforts and stressing the importance of continuity and inclusivity.

He noted that 92% of Ghana’s businesses are in the informal sector, limiting government revenue, and highlighted examples of long-term planning successes, such as China’s “Made in China 2025” initiative. He also praised traditional authorities for their stabilising influence and urged Ghanaians to rally around common goals.

The regional engagement forms part of the Commission’s ongoing nationwide consultations to consolidate existing long-term development frameworks into a single, coherent national development plan that reflects shared aspirations and practical pathways for inclusive growth.