Ghana sets course for a brighter future with Vision 2057: A roadmap to prosperity by 2057

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has outgrown a vision that

will propel the country beyond politics to achieve national aspirations in Ghana.

Leading the charge on this task is Vision 2057, the Long-Term National Development Perspective Framework (LTNDPF), which acts as a roadmap for Ghana’s social sustainability, economic development, and environmental development over the next three decades.

This visionary document will serve as a compass rather than a road map, represent the aspirations of Ghanaians, and guide the successive medium-term development plans as the country progresses on its development trajectory.

Vision 2057 represents hope for the future of Ghana as a nation.

It further captures the overall vision for the development agenda, goals, objectives, and strategic directions for Ghana’s future that will define the nation by the year 2057, the one-hundredth anniversary of independence. It acts as an integrative structure that provides specific directions on how different stakeholders can harness their energies to achieve the long-term ambitions of the country.

It is through this provision that Vision 2057 will be of help to the present and future generations in achieving the nation’s true potential as a target of new technologies and manifestos of innovation.

Vision 2057 also takes a flexible approach with regard to governance and the nation’s needs. It recognizes that power oscillates, and with every new regime comes the chance to implement one’s agenda and enact policies. The incorporation of different manifestos and the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Policies (CPESDP) also makes sure that the overall national vision is not swayed by political transition.

This flexibility allows Ghana to steer through the journey to a just, free, and

prosperous nation that respects the values outlined in the country’s constitution.

Vision 2057 also took into consideration many ideas from other prominent documents and global agenda developments.

The Black Star Rising: The Long-term National Development Plan (2018-2057), also referred to as the 40-year Development Plan, provides the roadmap for the transformation of Ghana. More specifically, the Ghana@100, as well as the National Development Policy Framework (‘Vision 2020’), Africa Union Agenda 2063, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (‘UN SDGs'), provide important references and benchmarks. Additionally, the framework responds to and assimilates insights derived from crises around the world, including COVID-19, climate change, and geopolitics, to ensure a robust and dynamic plan for development.

Vision 2057 again pursues the implementation of recommendations that have come

through previous Medium-Term National Development Plans. The First Step Initiative started from 1996–2000, and additional steps, especially the second, third, and fourth, were discontinued as a result of Ghana’s Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status.

However, since 2010, the National Development Planning Commission has been

significant in publishing four Medium-Term National Development Policy Frameworks, which have outlined planning objectives for the structure of Medium-Term National Development Plans (MTNDPs) at the ministries, departments, agencies, and local levels.

In fact, these frameworks, like the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda,

(GSGDA I and II) and the Agenda for Jobs I and II: Creating Prosperity and Equal

Opportunity for All, among others, has provided platforms for the realization of Vision 2057.

Vision 2057 framework presents specific goals and objectives to guide national

development:

Economic Transformation and Diversification: Vision 2057 embroils change in the economy, where the country seeks to have a strong and diversified economy driven away from the old sectors. This ranges from advocating for innovation to the development of new businesses and technology for the continuance of sustainable economic growth and new employment opportunities.

Infrastructure Development: It is a comprehensive framework that acknowledges the significance of infrastructure for the enhancement of Ghana’s economy and for increasing the welfare of Ghanaians. This can be achieved by expediting transportation infrastructure, expanding access to electricity or water/sanitation pipelines, and building new and modern cities that are sustainable.

Human Capital Development: Human capital is an important and essential tool for sustainable development identified within the framework of Vision 2057. It sets objectives for reforming educational access, increasing vocational and technical training, advancing healthcare, and fostering innovation and technology services.

Social Inclusion and Equity: It also aims at upholding social justice and preventing inequalities in different dimensions. This includes defining the objectives to be achieved, which include: poverty reduction; strengthening social protection policies; gender equality; women empowerment; engagement of marginalized sections of the population; and social cohesion and cultural diversity.

Environmental Sustainability: Due to the awareness of the value of environmental protection and sustainable exploitation of resources by Vision 2057, goals must be established for the reduction of climate change, protection of ecosystems, renewable energy, agricultural production, and natural resource exploitation.

Good Governance and Institutional Strengthening: The framework contains

outcomes related to the increase in transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance. This includes supporting political and social reform, promoting the rule of law, fighting corruption, reinvigorating public institutions, and encouraging the active participation of citizens in the decision-making process.

Regional Integration and Global Partnerships: Some of the measures that Vision

2057 stipulates promoting cooperation between different countries in Africa and improving bilateral ties with international bodies.

Vision 2057 gives Ghana a platform to be a shining light for the betterment of its people. Fusing the commitments of its people with the wisdom of history, this LTNDPF serves as a roadmap to help the nation achieve its vision of a better tomorrow. The national goal must be pursued by governments using this framework as a guide, and citizens must use it to hold governments accountable.

Through the acceptance of the need for flexibility, the adoption of best practices in other countries, and building on the foundation of current progress, Ghana is seeking a way to sustainable national development and the realisation of the vision of a just and free nation for all in the future.