The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, has emphasised that Ghana’s national growth depends on the prosperity of its local economies, noting that sustainable development must begin at the district and community level.
Addressing stakeholders at a regional consultative engagement in the Volta Region on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Dr. Thompson said: “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.”
He cautioned against relying solely on broad national indicators without examining their geographic distribution.
“We may measure cement consumption and conclude that the construction sector is expanding, but we must ask: where is this construction occurring? If it is concentrated largely in Accra, what does that imply for balanced and inclusive development across the country?” he noted.
Dr. Thompson explained that the NDPC is introducing innovative planning approaches that move beyond traditional aggregate metrics, with a deliberate focus on spatial equity and inclusive growth.
He also called for the modernisation of Monitoring and Evaluation systems, arguing that technological advancements now allow near real-time performance tracking.
“Accountability must be timely, measurable, and responsive,” he said.
He reiterated the constitutional mandate of the NDPC, highlighting that the Commission is an active, working body composed of regional representatives, ex-officio members including the Minister for Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and appointed professionals.
“We are not merely a board that meets quarterly. We are actively coordinating and shaping Ghana’s development agenda with urgency and purpose,” Dr. Thompson said.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, welcomed participants, describing the engagement as both timely and strategic. He recalled that President John Dramani Mahama, during the inauguration of the 8th NDPC Commission in May 2025, highlighted the challenge posed by multiple long-term development 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 Ghana’s prosperity,” he said.
“However, their coexistence necessitates coherent integration and strategic alignment. For development to be truly sustainable and transformative, it must be guided by one clear and coherent national vision.”
During a courtesy call on the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Dr. Thompson reiterated the critical role of local economies and highlighted that 92% of Ghana’s businesses are in the informal sector, limiting government revenue.
He praised traditional authorities for their stabilising influence and urged Ghanaians to rally around shared national goals, citing international examples such as China’s “Made in China 2025” initiative.
The regional consultative engagement is part of the NDPC’s nationwide efforts to consolidate Ghana’s existing long-term development frameworks into a single, coherent plan that reflects collective aspirations and practical pathways for inclusive growth.
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