Let’s have a coherent plan to tackle Ghana’s economic challenges – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a unified and forward-looking national development plan to address Ghana’s enduring economic challenges and structural constraints.

Speaking at the swearing-in of new members of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Mr. Mahama expressed disappointment that nearly 70 years after independence, Ghana’s economy remained largely dependent on the export of a narrow range of primary commodities, with little diversification or value addition.

“Indeed, nearly 70 years after independence, our economy continues to rely heavily on a narrow range of primary commodities with limited diversification and value addition,” he said.

“This reality reflects the persistence of structural constraints that continue to hold us back, proving that in many respects we remain, as Nkrumah said, ‘prisoners of our past’.”

Mr. Mahama acknowledged previous efforts to address these challenges, highlighting the 40-Year National Development Plan completed in 2017 under the leadership of Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, who has now returned as Chair of the Commission.

Since the plan’s completion, other strategic documents such as the Ghana Beyond Aid framework and the Vision 2057 Perspective Plan have been developed.

He urged the NDPC to harmonize all existing frameworks into a single, coherent national strategy that aligns with the aspirations of the Ghanaian people.

“I urge the commission to consolidate all these various efforts into a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking national development plan,” Mr. Mahama said.

He stressed that the development of a national plan must not be left solely in the hands of technocrats but should reflect the voices and hopes of the Ghanaian population. “This must be done in close collaboration and consultation with Parliament and the people’s representatives to ensure that the final plan responds to evolving domestic and global challenges,” he concluded.