The Ministry of Planning has organized a dissemination workshop on Government’s Coordinated Program of Economic and Social Development Policies (CPESDP) 2017-2024, in the Ashanti Region on Monday, 10 September 2018.

This was after same workshops had been organized in the Eastern, Central, Western, Upper West, Upper East, Northern, and Brong Ahafo regions, after the document had been publicly launched by the President in April 2018.

The purpose of these workshops is to disseminate, educate and provide information on the objectives of the Government’s Coordinated Programme.

The Coordinated Programme, is in fulfilment of Article 36, Clause 5 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which required the President, within the first two years after assuming office, to present to Parliament a coordinated programme of economic and social development policies, including agricultural programs and industrial programs at all levels and in all the regions of Ghana.

This, the President did in record time, by presenting to Parliament, the Coordinated Programme in November 2017, making him the first in Ghana’s history to have done it in his first year in office.

Courtesy Call

Ahead of the workshop, the Minister for Planning, Prof. George Gyan-Baffour paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Gloria Elizabeth Agyemang, to brief her on his mission in the region and also to seek the support of all stakeholders for the successful implementation of the policies and programs in the CPESDP.

Briefing the Regional Minister, Prof Gyan-Baffour said in April this year, the President launched the CPESDP, dubbed, “An Agenda for Jobs: Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunities for All” in Accra, after which the regional disseminations began.

The document outlines the President’s vision for the country and the specific programmes and interventions to achieve his vision to develop an optimistic, self-confident and prosperous nation, through the creative exploitation of the country’s human and natural resources, he said.

The Deputy Regional Minister, in welcoming the Planning Minister and his team said the Regional Coordinating Council, District Planning Officers, District Coordinating Directors, District Information officers, representatives of the Traditional Authorities, Civil Society, Private Sector, Religious Bodies, Academic Institutions and Media were among participants invited to the day’s workshop.

She was grateful the dissemination of the CPESDP had gotten to the Ashanti Region and looked forward to the successful implementation of the programs.

Workshop

Speaking at the dissemination of the CPESDP workshop in Kumasi, the Minister for Planning, said the document serves as a guidance for future development plans and “captures the divergent aspirations of our people into a formidable shared vision that is being translated into plans, policies, programmes and actions to be pursued in all regions, in all districts and in all sectors of the society.” He stressed that the document is unique because it took cognizance of other plans such as the Sustainable Development Plans (SDGs), as well as the African Union Agenda 2063.

Prof. Gyan-Baffour stated that the document offers a comprehensive diagnosis and analysis of the socio-economic challenges and presents new approaches to addressing them, with specific interventions and programmes. “It gives a clear sense of direction to the country on the development chart the President wants the country to follow and serves as the basis for economic and social mobilisation, as well as guidance for future Government budgets”, he added.

The Minister said, government is conscious of the active role of stakeholders in the attainment of its vision through active engagement within the boundaries of the new planning culture which recognizes the role of each actor and creating the opportunity for all to contribute their quota. He called on all, representing various segments of society – private sector, civil society, research and training institutions, students and youth groups, traditional leaders, women’s group and the media, to lend their shoulders to the wheel for the successful implementation of the government’s vision.

Solidarity Messages

The Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), in a statement read on their behalf by Mr Mike Nana Osei, reiterated the importance of partnerships with regards to the implementation of the CPESDP. He said, “the magnitude of the challenge in terms of resources needed to ensure a successful implementation of the Coordinated programme calls for collaborative partnership between stakeholders, the public sector, private sector and the civil society”, adding that “the critical role of the private sector in the economic growth of the country can never be over-emphasized.”

Mr. Osei said, the civil society organisations and the private sector through the Public-Private Dialogue platform will provide a monitoring mechanism and other material resources to help achieve results.

The federation pledged its support to the attainment of the vision of the President to ensure an optimistic, self-confident and prosperous nation.

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), represented by Nana Akomah Yeboah also admonished participants to constructively engage with the government for the effective implementation of the Coordinated Program.

The regional dissemination workshop is yet to be held in the Volta and Greater Accra Regions to complete the nationwide dissemination.