Statement by NDC at the Northern Regional Consultative Forum
1 STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC) AT NORTHERN REGION CONSULTATIVE FORUM Delivered by Mr. Abaka-Quansah Date: 17 September 2015 Venue: Modern City Hotel, Tamale Mr. Chair, Distinguished guests, All protocols observed; The National Democratic Congress acknowledges that over the last three decades, governments have implemented different policies that have taken Ghana from a lowincome country to a lower middle-income country. But we note that the efforts have been driven largely by policy choices that are regime-based and essentially disconnected from each other. The growth and development of our country has therefore not been as consistent and sustainable as we would have wished. This, in our view, has led to the persistence of development challenges such as: a) Fiscal deficits; b) Energy deficits; c) Infrastructure deficits; d) Slow pace of implementation of the decentralisation programme; e) Persistence of poverty and food insecurity resulting from low agricultural productivity; f) Under-delivery of social services in a context of rapid population growth; g) Youth unemployment; and h) Continuing environmental degradation. Mr. Chairman, We believe the adoption of sustainable development strategies that will promote policy consistency and the continuation of progress made by different regimes is the best way forward. It is therefore our expectation that a process of long-term planning will lead to: a) A more stable macro-economic environment for sustained national income growth; b) Diversification of sources of energy generation with more emphasis on renewable energy; c) Modernisation of agriculture leading to increased productivity and food security;
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Statement by NDC ©NDPC, 17th September 2015
2 d) Deepening of the decentralisation process to guarantee the participation of the broad masses of our people in decision making; e) Strengthening of institutions of state; f) A more disciplined and rule-following Ghanaian; and g) The reduction and perhaps eventual elimination of practices that degrade our natural environment and aid climate change. Mr. Chairman, As a party, we believe that long-term planning will eventually lead to achieving a better Ghana, in which lives are changed and the entire society is transformed. It is in this respect that we wish to thank the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) for extending the invitation to us to participate in these deliberations that will eventually culminate in the preparation of a long-term development plan for this country. We therefore by this statement affirm our commitment to work hand-in-glove with NDPC and our colleagues from the other political parties to formulate the strategies that will address the country’s immediate challenges and long-term national expectations. Indeed, it is these considerations that motivated our leader, President John Dramani Mahama, to launch this new effort at a long-term vision for this country and to call for a more inclusive and participatory approach to crafting a strategic framework for Ghana’s development path. That call is our mandate. We urge all to join us to deliver on that mandate. Thank you all and God bless our homeland Ghana.
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Statement by NDC ©NDPC, 17th September 2015
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Statement by NDC ©NDPC, 17th September 2015
2 d) Deepening of the decentralisation process to guarantee the participation of the broad masses of our people in decision making; e) Strengthening of institutions of state; f) A more disciplined and rule-following Ghanaian; and g) The reduction and perhaps eventual elimination of practices that degrade our natural environment and aid climate change. Mr. Chairman, As a party, we believe that long-term planning will eventually lead to achieving a better Ghana, in which lives are changed and the entire society is transformed. It is in this respect that we wish to thank the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) for extending the invitation to us to participate in these deliberations that will eventually culminate in the preparation of a long-term development plan for this country. We therefore by this statement affirm our commitment to work hand-in-glove with NDPC and our colleagues from the other political parties to formulate the strategies that will address the country’s immediate challenges and long-term national expectations. Indeed, it is these considerations that motivated our leader, President John Dramani Mahama, to launch this new effort at a long-term vision for this country and to call for a more inclusive and participatory approach to crafting a strategic framework for Ghana’s development path. That call is our mandate. We urge all to join us to deliver on that mandate. Thank you all and God bless our homeland Ghana.
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Statement by NDC ©NDPC, 17th September 2015
