National Dev’t plan should guide political party manisfesto – Prof. Gatsi
The Dean, University of Cape Coast School of Business, Prof. John Gatsi has recommended that an inclusive national development plan should guide development of political party manifestos instead of governing by political party manifestos.
According to him, a national plan agreed by all and sundry will ensure continuity of projects and also promote transparency and accountability.
Speaking at Center for Social Justice 11th Leadership Dialogue Series in Accra, he stated, “we cannot stop political parties from developing manifestos, but we should have a national development plan agreed by all; for instance, if we decide to link the Eastern and Western corridors of rail lines, the national plan should tally with the manifesto and should not depart from it, that would ensure continuity of projects.”
The 1992 Constitution, article 87 stipulates that the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) is supposed to advise and guide the President on development issues. However, the elected president comes into office with a plan -the party’s manifesto, it is in view of this that Prof. Gatsi reckons the national development agenda, agreed by all should fit into the plans of the ruling government.
For him, prioritising inclusive nation, with political leaders “should see themselves as stewards and their positions as a privilege and not an unquestionable right.”
Ghana like most global economies is experiencing challenges in its macroeconomic situation, with inflation rate climbed to the highest level in 21 years in August as the price of imported goods continued to surge, fueled by a slide in the cedi.
Annual imported inflation quickened to 35.2% from 33.9% a month prior, outpacing domestic price growth for a fifth month, the Ghana Statistical Serviced announced on Wednesday.
Further, Prof.Gatsi also touched on the transformation of the Ghanaian economy, by calling for a well-developed long-term inclusive investment in human capital in an environment of upgraded use of technologies and real rule of law.
He also indicated that government should address technological and skills inequality among young people with high density of the inequality manifesting in the apparent unbalance development of the regions
According to him, the economy is distressed due to ; high unsustainable public debt, high interest payment burden which dwarfs financial commitment to other sectors, undulating macroeconomic environment, fiscal dominance situation, low revenue performance, neglect of the potential of modernized agriculture and inefficient spending.
The timing of policy decisions and the degree to which leaders take responsibility are crucial in managing crises, he noted.
The leadership dialogue series provides a timely opportunity to discuss the root causes of the current economic, fiscal and monetary crises to determine how we proceed in the overall interest of citizens, businesses and remain attractive.
