Regional Consultation on the Longterm National Development Plan
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WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HON. PETER ANARFI-MENSAH, ASHANTI REGIONAL MINISTER Date: 13th August 2015 Venue: Crystal Rose Hotel, Kumasi -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chairman of NDPC, Director General of NDPC, Commissioners of NDPC, Representative of His Royal Highness [Barima Tweneboa Kodua V], Honourable Members of Parliament, Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Representatives of Political Parties, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives present, Representatives of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Heads of Departments, Nananom, Distinguished Guests, Friends from the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the official launch on 4th August, President John Dramani Mahama set the stage for the series of regional consultations towards the preparation of the 40 year development plan. Professor Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, There is a paramount need for broad consultation and collaboration among all stakeholders for a national development plan that meets the expectations of the masses of people. I believe you all agree that we all have to make it a living document and this is why the Ashanti Region is privileged to host this first regional consultative forum. This forum is a clear manifestation of the fact that the country’s fate lies in the hands of each and every one. That is why it is incumbent on all of us to contribute to whatever document is generated at the end of this forum. The Constitution Review Committee recommended that the plan must be binding on all governments to ensure that the development process will not to be abandoned. I have no doubt that this plan preparation process will be successful if this broad consultation is carried out in all regions in the country. This is not the first time such a programme has been set up. Even for generating the Constitution, a similar process was adopted and now here we are. I personally believe at the end of the day we will be very proud of the document that will be generated from this consultation forum. REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Welcome Address by Ashanti Regional Minister ©NDPC, 2015
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Nananom, ladies and gentlemen, It is worth mentioning that Ghana has made several attempts to implement long-, medium- and short-term development plans but they all failed to achieve their desired objectives due to a number of factors. Notable among them are military interventions that toppled some regimes and, in some cases, the lack of commitment of successive governments to such plans. Ghana’s first national plan dates back to Sir Gordon Guggisberg’s 10-year development plan from 1920-30. After five-year plans in the 1950s, then came Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Seven-Year Development Plan (1963-1970). Other plans include Vision 2020, Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy and Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS 1 and 2), and Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSDGA 1 and 2) which is currently under implementation. Professor Chairman, It is regrettable that with all these plans containing very good ideas, Ghana’s quest for economic growth has not been realized. Ghana’s efforts at development could be compared to those of Singapore and Malaysia. Today, Ghana is failing in economic development because of the failure to adopt a long-term development plan. There is, therefore, a compelling need to draw inspiration from these countries and chart a new course towards the realisation of accelerated economic development within the anticipated period. Ladies and gentlemen, As you are all aware, long-term national development plan cannot succeed without extensive consultation. We need to build national consensus and it is on this basis that you have been invited to participate and to contribute meaningfully towards the preparation process of the long-term plan and ensure the realisation of its objectives. The constructive spirit in you is going to be the driving force behind this consultative meeting and your presence here is a clear indication of your commitment to the plan process. I have no doubt that participants gathered here will diligently contribute towards the realisation of an LTNDP that will be acceptable to and binding on successive governments to ensure the transformational growth that has been experienced by our contemporaries. Professor Chairman, Let me recognise the presence of our youth from selected senior high schools in the region. The future of our dear nation rests on them and therefore their participation in this forum is crucial. To the students, I must say that it is important for you to share your REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Welcome Address by Ashanti Regional Minister ©NDPC, 2015
3 future aspirations with our elders here. Our faith in you as responsible future leaders remains solid and unshaken. Professor Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a successful forum and urge participants to explore the many opportunities available in the next few hours to enrich the discourse by expressing our opinions and expectations. The time for us to demonstrate our resolve and contribute to national development is now. I welcome you all to this forum.
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Welcome Address by Ashanti Regional Minister ©NDPC, 2015
WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HON. PETER ANARFI-MENSAH, ASHANTI REGIONAL MINISTER Date: 13th August 2015 Venue: Crystal Rose Hotel, Kumasi -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chairman of NDPC, Director General of NDPC, Commissioners of NDPC, Representative of His Royal Highness [Barima Tweneboa Kodua V], Honourable Members of Parliament, Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Representatives of Political Parties, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives present, Representatives of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Heads of Departments, Nananom, Distinguished Guests, Friends from the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the official launch on 4th August, President John Dramani Mahama set the stage for the series of regional consultations towards the preparation of the 40 year development plan. Professor Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, There is a paramount need for broad consultation and collaboration among all stakeholders for a national development plan that meets the expectations of the masses of people. I believe you all agree that we all have to make it a living document and this is why the Ashanti Region is privileged to host this first regional consultative forum. This forum is a clear manifestation of the fact that the country’s fate lies in the hands of each and every one. That is why it is incumbent on all of us to contribute to whatever document is generated at the end of this forum. The Constitution Review Committee recommended that the plan must be binding on all governments to ensure that the development process will not to be abandoned. I have no doubt that this plan preparation process will be successful if this broad consultation is carried out in all regions in the country. This is not the first time such a programme has been set up. Even for generating the Constitution, a similar process was adopted and now here we are. I personally believe at the end of the day we will be very proud of the document that will be generated from this consultation forum. REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Welcome Address by Ashanti Regional Minister ©NDPC, 2015
2
Nananom, ladies and gentlemen, It is worth mentioning that Ghana has made several attempts to implement long-, medium- and short-term development plans but they all failed to achieve their desired objectives due to a number of factors. Notable among them are military interventions that toppled some regimes and, in some cases, the lack of commitment of successive governments to such plans. Ghana’s first national plan dates back to Sir Gordon Guggisberg’s 10-year development plan from 1920-30. After five-year plans in the 1950s, then came Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Seven-Year Development Plan (1963-1970). Other plans include Vision 2020, Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy and Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS 1 and 2), and Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSDGA 1 and 2) which is currently under implementation. Professor Chairman, It is regrettable that with all these plans containing very good ideas, Ghana’s quest for economic growth has not been realized. Ghana’s efforts at development could be compared to those of Singapore and Malaysia. Today, Ghana is failing in economic development because of the failure to adopt a long-term development plan. There is, therefore, a compelling need to draw inspiration from these countries and chart a new course towards the realisation of accelerated economic development within the anticipated period. Ladies and gentlemen, As you are all aware, long-term national development plan cannot succeed without extensive consultation. We need to build national consensus and it is on this basis that you have been invited to participate and to contribute meaningfully towards the preparation process of the long-term plan and ensure the realisation of its objectives. The constructive spirit in you is going to be the driving force behind this consultative meeting and your presence here is a clear indication of your commitment to the plan process. I have no doubt that participants gathered here will diligently contribute towards the realisation of an LTNDP that will be acceptable to and binding on successive governments to ensure the transformational growth that has been experienced by our contemporaries. Professor Chairman, Let me recognise the presence of our youth from selected senior high schools in the region. The future of our dear nation rests on them and therefore their participation in this forum is crucial. To the students, I must say that it is important for you to share your REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Welcome Address by Ashanti Regional Minister ©NDPC, 2015
3 future aspirations with our elders here. Our faith in you as responsible future leaders remains solid and unshaken. Professor Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a successful forum and urge participants to explore the many opportunities available in the next few hours to enrich the discourse by expressing our opinions and expectations. The time for us to demonstrate our resolve and contribute to national development is now. I welcome you all to this forum.
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Welcome Address by Ashanti Regional Minister ©NDPC, 2015
