National chairperson of the Convention Peoples Party, Samia Nkrumah, has called for a national dialogue to decide on a national development plan that will be binding on all governments. Whilst congratulating the nation on the 53rd Republican celebration, she said not much has been achieved. The daughter of Ghana's first President who ushered the country into a Republic blamed Ghana’s poor state of development on what she calls politicization of national issues. She told Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey though the party is neutral in the ongoing hearing into the election petition at the Supreme Court, she is hopeful the outcome will be respected by all Ghanaians irrespective of their political affiliation. "In 1960, the Republic Day came with a new constitution which guaranteed that nobody will suffer discrimination on grounds of sex, race, religion or political affiliation. "That same constitution was aimed at weaning us off reliance from foreign power. “The significance of the Republic Day remains and must remain our quest to achieve full self-reliance in the way we plan and use our resources. “…We are waiting for a national development plan that would bring consensus on important issues of our development,” she said. She added that this year’s Republic Day comes at a time when an election is being challenged. Whilst the party will not take sides in the ongoing petition, it will be forceful in maintaining the peace of the country after the election petition has been determined, she noted. A deputy Information and Media Relations minister, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed said despite the challenges the country has chalked up some successes. He said even though he would have wished the country moved at a faster rate in its development, the military takeovers contributed significantly to the slow-down of the country's progress. He said the country is gradually progressing and will achieve its development goals.