Let’s have one coherent plan to tackle Ghana’s economic challenges – Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has called for a unified and inclusive national development plan to help Ghana overcome decades-old economic setbacks and structural challenges.
Addressing the newly sworn-in members of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) on Tuesday, May 20, Mr. Mahama lamented Ghana’s continued reliance on a narrow range of raw material exports, nearly seven decades after gaining independence.
“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 noted.
He described this persistent situation as evidence that the country remains trapped by historical economic patterns.
“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 commended past efforts to chart a long-term economic path, including the 40-Year National Development Plan completed in 2017 under the leadership of Dr. Nii Moi Thompson—who has now been reappointed as Chair of the NDPC.
He also referenced other strategic frameworks such as the Ghana Beyond Aid vision and the Vision 2057 Perspective Plan, which have emerged in recent years.
Calling for a unified approach, the President charged the NDPC to consolidate all existing frameworks into one comprehensive development strategy.
“I urge the commission to consolidate all these various efforts into a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking national development plan,” he said.
Mr. Mahama stressed the importance of public participation in the planning process, noting that national development must not be left solely in the hands of technocrats. “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 added.
