The Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom has stated that the development of a new national vision document does not mean that previous visions developed by various governments in the past failed.
He noted that a close examination of all previous planning efforts clearly indicate that each of them addressed very similar issues with good intentions and excellent strategies that are still relevant today. Dr Nduom stated this in an address read for him at the "Ashanti Regional Consultative Seminar On The National Vision" in Kumasi. The day's seminar, which was under the theme: "From Poverty Reduction To Wealth Creation - Building A Consensus On National Vision And Programme Of Action", attracted representatives from district assemblies, traditional rulers, planning officers, identifiable groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Dr Nduom explained that the main challenges that prevented the previous planning efforts from having positive impact on the lives of Ghanaians are incomplete implementation and lack of national ownership. He said the new approach, which aimed at collating collective views from the people is to develop a plan that is owned by all Ghanaians with an implementation focus that impact positively on the lives of the people.
Dr Nduom said the national vision, which must guide the long-term policy framework should come from the collective minds of Ghanaians and to challenge them to create a prosperous and progressive country, as well as developing strategies that would establish the country as a preferred destination for investment capital. He said the vision must also ensure that every Ghanaian irrespective of gender, age or physical circumstances have every opportunity to be productive.
