'Let us all sign up for 30-year national development masterplans like Japan, others' — Bawumia to political parties

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for the adoption of long-term national masterplans in critical sectors of Ghana's development, arguing that such an approach would help prevent successive governments from abandoning projects initiated by their predecessors.

Bawumia made the proposal following a series of meetings in Japan with representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Nippon Koei, CTI Engineering and Oriental Consultants Global.

In a Facebook post reflecting on his engagements with the four organisations, Bawumia said discussions centred on disaster risk reduction, coastal erosion, flood mitigation, transport planning and the development of masterplans for cities.

According to him, Japan's development model places significant emphasis on building consensus around a plan and maintaining commitment to its execution over several decades.

“What stood out most was Japan’s approach to planning. Japan takes the long view. They build consensus around a plan and then commit to executing it over 30 years.”

Bawumia observed that such an approach reduces the likelihood of development projects being discontinued whenever there is a change in government.

He argued that the continuity in Japan's planning process stands in contrast to Ghana's experience, where changes in political administration have often affected the implementation of development policies and projects.

“There is therefore little risk of a new government coming in and abandoning the work of the previous government.

The NPP flagbearer said Ghana must develop agreed masterplans for important areas of national development and ensure that political parties commit to them before assuming office.

Under the proposal, successive governments would be expected to continue executing agreed development plans rather than introducing entirely new approaches that could disrupt or delay ongoing projects.

“In Ghana, we often do not have an agreed masterplan in many critical areas that we are all working towards, regardless of party. We must change that. I believe we can.

“Let us have agreed masterplans in areas such as coastal erosion, flood control, and public transport – and let all political parties sign up to them.”