The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership during a courtesy call by UNICEF Ghana’s newly appointed Deputy Representative, Ms Emmanuelle Collet, on Monday, 3 August 2026.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of NDPC, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, described the relationship between the Commission and UNICEF as one founded on trust, shared values and sustained collaboration at the national, sectoral, regional and district levels. She noted that the partnership has consistently supported the Commission’s policy coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation functions while contributing to stronger governance, institutional development and accountability systems.
“Our work is organised around interconnected focus areas, and wherever people are concerned, development issues are linked. That is why our approach is aligned with the localisation of the SDGs. Education, health, nutrition, disability inclusion and social protection are all national priorities, and our interventions are designed to support citizens across these dimensions.”
Commending UNICEF for its consistency and professionalism, Dr Smock Amoah said the Commission places high value on the partnership and the strong institutional relationships built over the years with successive UNICEF officials. She described UNICEF as one of the Commission’s most dependable development partners and expressed confidence in the organisation’s continued support for Ghana’s development aspirations.
“With UNICEF, we have consistently enjoyed a strong and reliable partnership, which gives us confidence in pursuing our development objectives. We value the passion, commitment and professionalism that UNICEF continues to bring to this collaboration. Your visit gives us renewed assurance that we are working together towards a common purpose of reducing inequalities and advocating for those whose voices are often unheard.”
Earlier, Directors of the Commission’s four-line divisions briefed the Deputy Representative on NDPC’s constitutional mandate and its role in coordinating Ghana’s national development planning architecture. They highlighted the Commission’s ongoing collaboration with UNICEF in areas such as child-focused planning, nutrition and food security, integrated social services, digital monitoring systems, Sustainable Development Goal reporting and child-sensitive policy development.
Responding on behalf of UNICEF Ghana, Ms Emmanuelle Collet expressed appreciation for the warm reception and the opportunity to engage with the Commission at the beginning of her assignment in Ghana. She described NDPC as a highly structured institution whose work provides a direct link to development planning across all districts of the country and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to sustaining the partnership beyond individual office holders.
“I am truly impressed by the level of structure and coordination within the Commission. Please be assured that UNICEF remains fully committed to this partnership. It is an institutional relationship that has endured over time and is grounded in our shared development priorities. I look forward to working closely with NDPC so that, together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and communities across Ghana.”
