The 2008 presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom has commended President Mills’ establishment of a 10-member Economic Advisory Council (EAC). “I find it reassuring that the EAC is supposed to work with existing institutions for economic policy formulation, development and implementation.” The Council would advise the president on key economic issues affecting the country especially how to manage the impact of the international and domestic economic crisis on the country. In a press statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, Dr Nduom however cautioned the president against marginalizing the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). “The orientation of the EAC is the economy while that of the NDPC is broader as it advices the President on national development,” he noted. “Over the years, the NDPC and its predecessor development planning organizations, have prepared plans to guide the economic, industrial and social development of the country. They have been responsible for preparing Vision 2020, the GPRS (I & II) and the Kufuor Administration’s Long Term Development Strategy. It is important that some clarity is made to differentiate or link appropriately, the objectives of the EAC and the NDPC.” He described the members of the EAC as “credible and well-qualified” for the assignment. “It is important that their collective value is not diminished by petty turf battles and disagreement,” he warned. “I suggest that consideration should be given to making it a standing committee of government and not just an advisory body for President Mills. “In this regard, Parliament must be asked to take up this matter to ensure that roles and responsibilities are well spelt out, and relationships with other advisory bodies well defined… But the EAC is not enough. Another step in these difficult times is to return to the convening of an annual National Economic Forum/Dialogue to pull all stakeholders together to reach consensus over economic direction.” Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com