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Government is conscious of the fact that the attainment of its vision required the appreciation and active engagement of stakeholders within the boundaries of a new planning culture. This vision which is inherent in the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (CPESDP) must recognise the role of each actor – both state and non-state, thereby creating a space for all to participate.
Professor George Gyan-Baffuor, the Minister for Planning, stated this during the Upper West Regional Dissemination of the Coordinated Programmes in Wa. He explained that the CPESD captured the divergent aspirations of the people into a formidable shared vision that would be translated into plans, policies, programmes and actions to be pursued in all regions and districts.
It further offered a comprehensive diagnosis and analysis of their socio-economic challenges and presented new approaches to addressing them through specific interventions and programmes. “It is a forward looking document indicating the development path to chart, a reference source for validating decisions and actions, and an indicator for assessing performance and accomplishment”, he added.
Prof Gyan-Baffuor said the document was unique as it was carefully crafted to take cognisance of other Global Development Agendas such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda for 2063. Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan, the Upper West Regional Minister, said the CPESDP document was in fulfilment of a constitutional mandate bestowed on the President by Article 36 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
He commended the Ministry of Planning for the initiative and commitment to ensuring both state and non-state actors were well informed about the President’s vision. The Upper West Regional Coordinating Council was convinced that the strategies and initiatives would address development challenges of the region and told stakeholders in the region they had critical roles to play in the implementation of the Programme and therefore should not relent on it.
Speaking on the role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in CPESDP implementation, Mr Bashiru Jumah, the Upper West Region Programme Officer for SEND Ghana, noted that civil society owed it a duty to support government’s effort in mobilising revenue.
This is because the implementation of the Programme would be funded from domestic resources. “To this end we are committed to engaging in tax policy reforms for the realisation of the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda”, he said.
He added that CSOs were poised to help enhance accountability and transparency of central and local government programmes.
