President John Mahama has called for a unified and forward-looking national development plan to address Ghana’s enduring economic challenges and structural constraints.

Speaking at the swearing-in of new National Development Plan Commission (NDPC) members on Tuesday, May 20, Mr Mahama expressed disappointment that nearly 70 years after independence, Ghana’s economy remains largely dependent on the export of a narrow range of primary commodities, with minimal diversification or value addition.

“Indeed, nearly 70 years after independence, our economy continues to rely heavily on a narrow range of primary commodities with limited diversification and value addition,” he said.

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“This reality reflects the persistence of structural constraints that continue to hold us back, proving that in many respects we remain, as Nkrumah said, ‘prisoners of our past’.”

Mr Mahama acknowledged earlier efforts to address these long-standing issues, citing the 40-Year National Development Plan completed in 2017 under the leadership of Dr Nii Moi Thompson, who has now returned as Chair of the Commission (NDPC).

Since the plan’s completion, other strategic frameworks have emerged, including the Ghana Beyond Aid long-term development framework and the Vision 2057 Perspective plan.

He urged the NDPC to bring all these existing frameworks under one umbrella, creating a single, coherent national development strategy that reflects the aspirations of all Ghanaians.

“I urge the commission to consolidate all these various efforts into a coherent, inclusive, and forward-looking national development plan,” Mr Mahama said.

Mr Mahama stressed that the formulation of a national plan must not be left to technocrats alone but should reflect the voices and aspirations of the Ghanaian people.

“This must be done in close collaboration and consultation with Parliament and the people’s representatives to ensure that the final plan responds to evolving domestic and global challenges," he concluded.