A national development plan at last

I could not hide my excitement when I saw President Mahama actually launching a National Development Plan for Ghana. Finally we have found the road to orderly, efficient, accelerated development. Although it is 23 years late, it is better late than never.

Lack of direction

We have wallowed in the wilderness with no clear direction as a nation since the overthrow of President Nkrumah some 50 years ago. We might argue that for most of the 25 years following his overthrow we were under military dictatorships. Although a military dictatorship was the one that accelerated South Korea’s development, we might argue that the numerous ones we had were rather disruptive, okay. How about the 23 years of “Democratic Rule” that we have had after that? What was the excuse for avoiding such an important national assignment for 23 years?

Result of lack of national development plan

For 23 years we have stuck doggedly to a flawed method of planning in the party manifesto concept. The results are there for all to see: abandoned projects, filthy surroundings, food insecurity, non-existent industrial sector, broken education system, a health system in disarray, persistent power shortage alias ‘Dumsor,’ chronic housing shortage and our currency in free fall.

We did not have to endure this for 23 years. If we had initiated our 40-year plan 23 years ago we would have been well past midway and the results would have been visible today.

While it is no use crying over spilt milk we have to remind ourselves that this time we must not fail.

Committing to a successful plan

I have been following the National Development Planning Commission’s (NDPC) activities since it announced the intention to launch the plan. So far so good. Consultation with all political parties was important because all or some of them would have to implement this plan at one time or the other and they must not say at any time that they were not consulted.

The process as laid out to let the people own the plan by initiating it from the communities and districts is the best way to ensure acceptance by all and hence its success. The hope of many Ghanaians is that this process is carried out meticulously. We have a penchant for nice plans that are either poorly implemented or not implemented at all.

Need for attitudinal change

I was particularly happy about the NDPC’s observation that Ghanaians need to change their Attitudinal Behaviour to ensure success of the plan. The biggest obstacle to our success is the negative attitudinal behaviour of a majority of Ghanaians. This negative attitude manifests itself in our lack of adherence to the nine basic life principles, namely: Ethics, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect for Laws and Rules, Respect for the Rights of Fellow Citizens, Good Attitude to Work, Punctuality, Good Savings and Investment Culture, and Will of Super Action.

A campaign to get Ghanaians to change their attitude must precede the implementation of the development plan. We must remember that most of our contemporaries at independence achieved rapid economic transformation by sacrificing the luxury of democracy.

In order for us to achieve this level of economic transformation anytime soon under democratic rule, the least we can do is to have the right attitude. Without that we do not have a dog’s chance. There are sacrifices to be made to achieve our desired goal. We cannot have our cake and eat it.

We might admire the economic achievements of Singapore for instance without being particularly enthusiastic about the autocratic rule that got them there. The fact is that it was not just autocratic rule that was the magic. It was the longevity of honest, principled and transparent leadership with a great vision that did the trick. The people were merely forced to adopt the right attitude to ensure their own success.

Contributing to the plan

Many Ghanaians have rich ideas on how to lift the country out of its present quagmire. Unfortunately, hitherto there was no official forum to channel these suggestions for serious consideration. Many of us resorted to use of the media to make our case. Now is the opportunity to tap this wealth of ideas for national development.

I hope the NDPC will set up an address to receive and collate views and memoranda from the general public. They would be amazed at the level and quality of contributions they would receive. Many of us have been waiting for years for the opportunity to feed ideas to a successful development process.

Benefits of the plan

The numerous benefits of a National Development plan have been well articulated by the NDPC. The following additional benefits are also applicable:

1. We would be able to identify and deal with public servants who specialise in sabotaging government projects in order that their selfish interests might thrive. We must deal ruthlessly with such people.

2. It would be easier to borrow money against the plan from the international community. Ghanaians would not be grumbling about a public debt that they might otherwise consider resulting from dubious expenditure.

3. Donors would be more willing to donate to a cause that is spelt out in the national aspirations of a development plan than some nebulous wishes.

4. We would clearly spell out our priority areas for investment and provide the necessary incentives for investors to participate in support of the plan.

5. We would restructure our education system to produce the necessary manpower to support the success of the plan rather than depend on external expertise.

Fellow Ghanaians, we need all hands on deck.