Prof Gyan-Baffour and a section of the participants
The Minister of Planning, Prof George Gyan-Baffour, has reiterated government’s commitment to increasing the country’s per capita income to $3,500 by the year 2024.
The move, according to him, forms part of the national development programme as captured under the seven-year Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (CPESDP) of government.
Speaking at the regional dissemination event in Kumasi, the Minister said the policy document encapsulates the divergent aspirations of Ghanaians across the country.
These aspirations have been transformed into a shared vision of President Akufo-Addo and have been broken down into stated plans, policies, programmes and actions to be pursued in all regions and sectors of the country, he added.
The event has been successful in the Central, Western, Eastern, Northern, Upper East and West Regions.
Participants included staff of civil and local government, Civil Society Groups, private enterprise federation, MMDCEs and other non-state actors.
Prof Gyan-Baffour said that the President is enjoined by the Constitution to present to Parliament a coordinated programme of economic and social development policies, including agricultural and industrial programmes at all levels and in all the regions within two years.
The Planning Minister stated that the policy, which outlines the vision of the President, is unique and offers diagnosis and analysis of the nation’s socio-economic challenges and presents new approaches to addressing the challenges of the nation.
“These approaches come with specific interventions and programmes. The policy gives a clear sense of direction to the country on the development chart for the President and serves as the basis of economic and social mobilization,” he explained.
He asserted that the vision thrives not only on awareness of its content, but appreciation and active engagement of all stakeholders- both state and non-state actors.
The CPESDP, the Minister added, reflects the international development agenda that Ghana has agreed to pursue.
“It’s a forward looking document indicating the development path to chart, a reference source to validating plans and actions of government, and an indicator for assessing performance and accomplishments,” Prof Gyan-Baffour said.
This is the first time a vision document has been presented to Parliament by any president in his first year, he added.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi