Knust Former Vice-chancellor Calls For Long Term National Development Plan For Ghana

A former Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has underscored the need for Ghana to have a long-term national development plan.

Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa says the country's socio-economic woes are reflective of a lack of such blue-print.

He describes Ghana's approach to planning as 'piecemeal' which, according to him, has manifested in untold hardship on the citizenry.

Ghana's debt to Gross Domestic Product ratio has hit over 65 per cent amidst a severe power crisis, a situation analysts blame on poor planning.

Professor Adarkwa tells Luv News the tendency for successive governments to abandon projects by their predecessors is the bane of Ghana's development.

“Frankly, we cannot afford to have a situation where in 4 years someone assumes office does something and leaves. Someone else assumes office after the period and introduces different plans. For instance, the Asokore-Mampong low-cost housing project is still in limbo, look at our educational plans. As it stands now, we are all dancing around in circles, we are not making progress. The way forward therefore is to engage all stakeholders, share ideas and understand that as a nation, we have a common destiny. We need to have a long term vision and work gradually towards it” he added.

The former Vice-Chancellor, himself a planning expert spoke at a presentation on the research in Kumasi.

The topic was “The need for Ghana to Develop a Long- Term National Development Plan, A Survey of Key Stakeholders”.

The initiative by the Ghana Institute of Planners seeks to promote documented approach on how to develop and implement long-term national development plan.

Lead researcher, Dr. Ronald Adamptey, tells Luv News the study makes a case for government to begin a shift from short and medium term planning.