NDC supports NDPC’s policy framework

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged its support for a national development policy framework proposed by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) that would be launched on August 4.

Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Chairman, NDC said although the Party does not totally agree with everything proposed, it would support it because it would be based on data obtained from a national consultation.

He said it is important for the nation to have a national plan that would be abided by all so that there would be continuity and development in the country.

Mr Portuphy made the pledge when members of the NDPC called on the Party’s office in Accra.

He said Ghana as a middle income country needs a change in the attitude and behaviours of its citizens.

He noted that how one behaves makes one responsible, disciplined and a contributor to national development.

“If we want to see sustainable development, the pillar of it should be decentralisation and the government and district assemblies should use mineral resources to develop the nation including the mining towns which have deteriorated,” he said.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, said the nation is in its current state because Ghanaians have become too partisan towards development planning.

He said among the reasons for which he finds the plan as helpful to the nation is because, huge sums of money have been used for uncompleted state buildings that are totally of no use to the country, simply because of different ideologies in political parties and changes in government.

Mr Asiedu Nketia noted that words of political parties who have come in power usually are; “Let’s cancel the contract by the previous government and in a way re-instill the same project with our own budget allocated to such initiatives”.

He advised Ghanaians to change their thinking and attitudes when it comes to development, the environment and especially the attitude of condemning people who are disciplinarians.

Mr Lee Okran, Vice Chairman of the NDC said it would be very helpful if Ghanaians could adhere to change of attitudes to be responsible enough to contribute to national development.

Ms Anita De-Soso, Second Vice Chairman of the NDC urged the Commission to consider an opportunity to empower district assemblies to employ youth to reduce the unemployment rates in the country.

“The District Assemblies can also be empowered to demand for payments of small fees from members of the district to be used for minor developmental projects such as repairing of damaged infrastructure such as potholes on roads and construction of public toilet facilities for members in the communities,” she said.

The NDC Executives urged the Commission to include the youth in all its activities so that they would not see the plan as outmoded in years to come.

Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Director General of the Commission said the national consultation would come to an end in October 2016.

He said the Commission would work together with the Town and Country Planning to make the country more structured one by 2057.

He also assured the Party that the Commission would consider every suggestion and contribution of each of the political parties to ensure that the plan lasts.