In a night of revelry and recognition, the Ghana Institute of Planning yesterday conferred the prestigious title of Fellow upon Mr. Jonathan Kwasi Azasoo at their Annual Dinner Dance in Sunyani. The accolade marks a significant milestone in Mr. Azasoo's illustrious career, characterized by remarkable contributions to the fields of economics, planning, and governance.

A Stellar Career

Mr. Azasoo boasts an MSC in Economics with Statistics and a Certificate in Development Planning. With a wealth of experience spanning over twenty-nine years, he has been instrumental in shaping policy formulation, budgeting, development planning, monitoring and evaluation, and financial management. His expertise in decentralization and local governance, coupled with his familiarity with the decentralized planning system, sets him apart as a luminary in his field.

Throughout his career, Mr. Azasoo has demonstrated unwavering dedication to public service. He served as a Budget Analyst and Planning Officer for eleven years within the local government system before transitioning to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), where he has dedicated eighteen years to driving national development initiatives.

Current Role

Presently, Mr. Azasoo serves as the Technical Advisor at the NDPC. His responsibilities are manifold, encompassing the coordination of planning guidelines, providing inputs into the Ministry of Finance's budget guidelines, and supporting the preparation and finalization of national plans. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role in assisting metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies, as well as ministries, departments, and agencies in crafting their medium-term development plans.

Mr. Azasoo's contributions extend to regional levels, where he aids Regional Coordinating Councils in harmonizing district development plans periodically. His efforts to build the capacity of Regional Planning Coordinating Units and District Planning Coordinating Units have been instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness of decentralized planning across the nation.

A Well-Deserved Accolade

The Ghana Institute of Planning's recognition of Mr. Azasoo as a Fellow is a testament to his profound impact on national development and his unwavering commitment to public service. As he continues to steer the course of development planning in Ghana, his legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring planners and policymakers across the nation.

Reflecting on the honour, Jonathan Azasoo shared, “It’s by the grace of God . I’m humbled by this recognition. I had the privilege of being dressed by Prof. Emeritus Aryee, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon. This achievement is also a testament to the unwavering prayers and support from the Class of 1982, for which I am profoundly grateful.”

Congratulations to Mr. Jonathan Kwasi Azasoo on this well-deserved achievement!