The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Nii Moi Thompson, has underscored the central role of local economies in shaping the country’s overall development trajectory, adding 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 yesterday as part of the commission’s nationwide consultations towards a consolidated long-term national development plan, he 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.
“If local economies are not thriving, there is nothing meaningful to aggregate at the national level,” Dr Thompson said.
He cautioned against relying solely on broad national indicators without interrogating their geographic distribution, saying that while data may show growth in sectors such as construction, such expansion was often unevenly distributed.
Innovative approach
Dr Thompson said that the commission was introducing innovative planning approaches that went beyond traditional aggregate metrics, with a deliberate focus on spatial equity and inclusive growth.
He said 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 have made 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.
Accountability must be timely, measurable and responsive,” he said.
Established under the 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 a working commission, actively coordinating and shaping the nation’s development agenda with urgency and purpose,” Dr Thompson said.
“National development cannot be imposed; it must be collectively owned.
What we build together today will determine the prosperity of future generations,” he added.
Relevance
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, described the engagement as both timely and strategic.
He recalled that in May 2025, during the inauguration of the eighth NDPC, 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 the nation’s prosperity.
The coexistence of parallel visions necessitates coherent integration and strategic alignment,” the minister said.
He said that for development to be truly sustainable and transformative, it must be guided by one clear and coherent national vision.
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.
Source:
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