Some of Ghana’s top development and economic experts have unanimously given their support for the sculpturing of a national development agenda that is completely insulated from partisan political ideologies. They believe the country currently finds itself in the throes of poverty and hardship because major government policies and programmes have only been inspired by extreme politicization and vindictiveness. The experts: Kwame Pianim, a development consultant; Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, an economist; J.H. Mensah, a politician; and Dr Samuel N. Ashong, an economic policy analyst from the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), said these at a special debate in Accra on the theme: “Building Consensus on a National Development Agenda” organised by Joy FM in association with the Coconut Grove Hotels. Though the perspectives shared were widely described as already-known, they are perhaps the strongest call yet for consensus building in making real the nation’s development ideals. Mr. J.H. Mensah urged “dedicated leadership” as well as support from the citizenry in achieving real growth and development. “Development is expensive… and we have to pay,” he said, adding that action must be taken to ensure that Ghana derives the most benefit from its resources. Mr. Mensah said as the country awaits the commercial production of crude oil, a strategy must be put in place to ensure that dividends to be derived are not wasted. “If we wait and wait and wait…without [being] properly organised in the long term and in the short term, at the end, we’d be in shortage in the short term. The oil money comes [and due to poor planning], we’ll take all the oil money and chop it in our mouth,” he indicated. Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom hinged his contributions on the constitution, which he said best defines Ghana’s development focus. “We must first educate each other on the need to seek grounding from the constitution of the Republic… The directive principles of state policy together represent our collective broad national agenda; for the constitution says, ‘it is looking for a just and free society’.” “I am convinced that if we were to live by these broad principles and the constitution’s requirement for monitoring and evaluation, our nation will see significant growth and development,” he stressed. Economist Kwame Pianim called for a more empowered private sector but hinted that education is perhaps the most important rudiment to achieving the fortunes the country is praying for. “We need to have a focus on education… it liberates the people intellectually, it liberates their God-given talents to be able to produce, to participate in the national economy. Mr Pianim also called for “a free compulsory” secondary education for all “and the oil resources make it possible for us to be able to do that”. He also hailed government’s provision of free uniforms for basic schools. Dr Ashong stressed that it’s time government acted to put the brakes on brain drain by improving remuneration in the key sectors of the economy. “Their skills are needed for the development of healthy and skilled human resources, necessary for the preferred development path of accelerated growth with macro stability,” Dr Ashong said this of the country’s professionals who, he said, often travel abroad to better their fortunes. The debate attracted several personalities including Dr Ken Attafuah, a criminologist, who spoke widely on the need to promote the participation of women in the national development drive. Other media sponsors included GTV, Daily Graphic, Metro TV, Daily Graphic, TV3 and the TODAY newspaper. The Joy FM Debate is the brainchild of Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom in helping concensus building on national development, with Joy FM collaboration. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana