Lack of proper planning hampering Ghana's development — Prof Frimpong Boateng

Professor Frimpong Boateng, Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation

Ghana is failing to realize its full potential due to lack of proper long-term planning and goal setting, according to former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.

In an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse program aired on Wednesday, July 24, Prof Frimpong-Boateng lamented that Ghana does not have clear roadmap and targets set for key sectors like transportation, health, industry, science and technology, and manufacturing for the next five to ten years.

"As I sit here, I don't even know what will happen to the transportation industry in five years or 10 years. I don't know what will happen to health, industry, science and technology, manufacturing, and so on.

“I mean, we don't have set goals, milestones so that you can talk about it when you meet your friends outside. This is a missing," he said.

The renowned heart surgeon noted that Ghana has a penchant for adopting long term visions and development plans but always filed failing to properly implement them.

"It's not enough to say ‘Oh, Agenda 2030’...We had vision 2020. Vision this, vision that and when we do nothing and the set year is approaching then we shift. Vision 2057, who is who is supposed to do that? Are you telling our grandchildren that you are planning for them. Let us do what we can do now, when they come they will continue and plan for themselves,” he stressed.

Prof Frimpong-Boateng further highlighted the need for Ghana to adopt a more rigorous approach to development planning with clear targets, timelines and responsibilities if the country hopes to make meaningful progress across key sectors and fully realize its economic potential.

Without proper planning and goal setting, Ghana risks continued underdevelopment and leaving progress to chance, according to the former minister.