The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, has affirmed that the Consolidated National Development Plan will be guided by the Directive Principles of State Policy, ensuring that all development initiatives promote equitable growth and access to opportunities across the country.
Speaking during a consultative engagement with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and key stakeholders at the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council on Tuesday, 10th March 2026, Dr. Thompson highlighted that equitable development and active citizen participation are crucial to closing development gaps. “If these principles had been fully implemented since 1993, we would not be discussing development disparities today,” he said, noting that equal access to essential services is now a constitutional requirement citizens can enforce.
Dr. Thompson identified infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth, highlighting electricity, water, ICT, and transport as priority areas. “Electricity is to a modern economy what the sun is to the earth. Without reliable power, water, ICT access, and transport systems, development cannot be achieved,” he stated. Citing past inefficiencies, he added that Ghana Water Company lost 55 percent of the water it produced, while ECG lost 24 percent of electricity distributed. “Innovative collaboration between district assemblies and service providers is essential to leverage infrastructure for local economic growth,” he added.
Resource management and values-driven development were also central to his address. “Development is not only about infrastructure or money; it depends on the values that guide how we act and manage resources. Integrity, honesty, and trust underpin economic growth,” he said. Dr. Thompson stressed the importance of equitable education and fair access to social services, pointing to historical disparities and emphasizing that the Consolidated National Development Plan will integrate equity, accountability, and values-driven action into Ghana’s long-term strategy.
The Director-General of NDPC, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, detailed the Commission’s role in coordinating national and subnational planning to ensure efficiency and accountability. “Our mandate is to provide policy guidance to the President, coordinate development planning across regions and districts, and ensure resources are used efficiently to meet local needs,” she said. She noted that district development plans feed into national assessments and funding allocations, and that robust monitoring and evaluation systems are critical for project sustainability.
Dr. Amoah also highlighted the use of digital tools to enhance governance and transparency. “The first documents requested during monitoring missions by NDPC, sector ministries, or auditors are always the District Development Plan and Annual Action Plan. These serve as the primary reference points for assessing development performance,” she said, adding that timely submission of reports and adherence to deadlines are essential to avoid delays in national planning and implementation.
Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Be-Awuribe Esq., highlighted the region’s potential as a development hub, citing its vast land area and agricultural resources. “The Savannah Region covers about 15 percent of Ghana’s total landmass and has enormous potential, yet poverty levels remain high and access to infrastructure such as electricity, roads, and healthcare is limited,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches to planning and development, emphasising that proper management of resources and infrastructure could reverse rural-urban migration and create new opportunities within the region.
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