The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has engaged civil society organisations and political parties for technical consultations on the preparation of Ghana’s long-term development plan.

The sectors discussed include economic development, social development, environment and spacial development, governance and the country’s role in the international community, aimed at soliciting views and suggestions to craft a formidable and viable plan for the country.

Participants were divided into groups based on the sectors to dilate on issues such as the current state of development, challenges in the sector and opportunities.

The participants would look at particular sector’s vision and aspirations, goals, objectives and targets, strategies and financial funding as well as key actions to be taken.

Responses from the participants would be compiled into the long term development plan.

Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Director General of NDPC, said Article 87 (2) of the Constitution states that the Commission shall at the request of the President, monitors, evaluates and co-ordinates development policies, programmes and projects.

Dr Thompson said the long-term plan is 10 medium-term plans, four years each that would be prepared by successive governments, and a long-term plan provides a strategic framework for harnessing the nation’s development potential in a more structured and predictable way.

The long term development plan is to create an equitable, healthy and disciplined society, build safe well-planned and sustainable communities and strengthen Ghana’s role in international affairs.

The Commission had engaged in public consultation in all the regions and has proposed a national railway network that would go through every regional capital, linked to major food growing areas as well as reduce transport cost.

The national vision and goals of the long-term development plan is to build an industrialised, inclusive and resilient economy.