The Institute of Economic Affairs, IEA has said the partisan mode of appointing heads of the national development planning commission will undermine the autonomy of the commission to prepare a plan which will be binding by all governments.
President John Dramani Mahama has launched a 40-yr national development plan
Recommended articles
The national development planning commission, headed by Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, launched the preparation of a long term development plan at a pomp ceremony last week.
This has been applauded by many who say the country needs a long term plan to ensure steady development.
But the IEA believes a commission devoid of partisan appointments will be more beneficial.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The NDPC should be made an independent and autonomous body charged with the responsibility of formulating and overseeing the implementation of a long term national development plans for Ghana. The current partisan mode of appointment of the head of the NDPC undermines the Commission’s independence." a statement signed by IEA executive director said.
Jean Mensah also said the only way a development plan will be binding on successive governments is to entrench it in Ghana's constitution.
The IEA's position is based on successive government penchant of flouting legislations which are not entrenched in the constitution.
"It is logical to expect that a national development plan that is not anchored in the constitution will be abandoned with a change in government. An entrenched plan would bind successive regimes and halt the tragedy of policy discontinuity that continues to undermine our development." She said.
