Government has obtained the financial clearance to support the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) to fully discharge its mandate.

President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in an address read on his behalf by Planning Minister, Professor George Gyan Baffour, at the 50^th anniversary of GIP said the fund is to assist the institute fight off its challenges.

“As a nation, we have a lot to be proud of, but we could not have attained our level of development without the input of planners at the first stages of our development” he noted.

GIP commemorated its Golden Jubilee on Friday at Accra, themed, "GIP@50: Planning for Ghana Beyond Aid."

The President also called on the support of the Planners in Ghana to enable them contribute to the agenda of the government.

“I, therefore, urge you to engage yourselves constructively to promote our mission to develop the nation,” he said.

He congratulated the Institute Planners and urged its leadership to stay dedicated to promoting the institute.

“It is now a duty a challenge and opportunity responsibility of the present team to lead the institute forward with as much vision and commitment as was exhibited by those who came before you,” he said.

President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso I, also charged the Institute to critically analyse factors that will actualise the theme for their anniversary.

“In our planning arena we need to consider the following issues: are policies in place to ensure the successful implementation of the story? In setting our goals for a plan, do all the stakeholders share the same mission?”

Nana Appiagyei further asked the GIP to inculcate acceptable actions in citizens to assist the government’s Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

The President of GIP, Alfred Kwasi Opoku, also said the institute will eagerly provide their services to promote the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda envisioned by the President to propel the economy of the country.

“GIP remains resolute in our commitment to support the government of the day to implement the plans and programmes that would bring improved livelihoods into the lives of citizens” he articulated.

Mr Opoku also revealed that non-planning professionals have infiltrated the job, therefore, affecting the output performance of the planners in the country.

He then suggested, “let us contain the error we have and build their capacity for improved performances but not to add to our number the non-planning professionals in order to sanitize the system.”

The Ghana Institute of Planners is a professional body of practising Planners under the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Since its inception in 1969, GIP represents members of the planning profession in physical and urban planning, economic and regional planning, social and policy planning, transportation and planning research.

The Institute was formally founded on March 28, 1969, following the acceptance and adoption of the governing constitution.