The Government of Ghana, led by President John Dramani Mahama, is advocating for the creation of a long-term national development strategy aimed at ensuring policy continuity beyond electoral cycles and shielding national priorities from political disruption. The initiative is being spearheaded by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and was emphasized by President Mahama during the swearing-in of new NDPC members on May 20 in Accra. He called for a development model inspired by Ghana’s founding president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, rooted in long-term vision and self-reliance.
Mahama, who returned to office in December 2024 after an eight-year hiatus, stressed that Ghana’s development must transcend partisan manifestos and be anchored in a coherent, inclusive, and broadly supported national plan. “Every government must contribute to a shared national vision, not start from scratch every four years,” Mahama said.
The President urged the NDPC to engage Parliament, civil society, and citizens in shaping the plan, ensuring broad ownership and sustainability. Ghana has historically faced policy discontinuity with each political transition, often resulting in stalled projects, inconsistent reforms, and economic inefficiencies. The proposed strategy is intended to address structural economic challenges, guide infrastructure investment, and foster predictable governance, particularly in sectors like education, health, agriculture, and energy.
The NDPC’s long-term strategy is expected to align with Ghana’s commitments to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning the country as a regional model for development planning and governance stability.
