National Policy Summit Held At UDS In Tamale

Evidence suggests that countries where multi-party democracy has been established perform better as compared to non-democratic states. One sure path to effective democracy is accountability and citizens involvement in governance. An initiative that is gradually becoming a pivot for accountability and citizens’ involvement is the National Policy Summit initiated by the Ministry of Information. It has been a platform for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs to engage stakeholders on the way forward towards effective implementation of Government policies as well as regularly inform the public on detailed government strategies for revamping the economy for sustained growth. It is a fact that ever since the New Patriotic Party assumed office many of its flagship programmes have been questioned and criticised by some Ghanaians.
Organizers of the fourth edition of the Policy Summit in Tamale could not have chosen a better topic than the theme: “ASSESSING GOVERNMENT’S FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES, THE JOURNEY SO FAR.” The theme gave the opportunity for discussants to critically analyze issues on policies and programmes such as the Free Senior High School and its attendant double track system, One District One Factory, One village One Dam, among other policy initiatives. There is the need to adopt a nationalistic approach towards the implementation of the findings whether in favour or against the policies to ensure success. The need for a holistic approach in implementing the policies was exemplified by the Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia at the opening of the Summit when he intimated that Government will not opt for politically expedient policies but will implement economically sustainable policies that will have long term sustainable effects on the Country. Dr. Bawumia indicated that the economic decisions and policies taken so far by President Akufo-Addo’s administration such as the restoration of teacher and nursing training allowances, Zongo Development Fund, Planting For Food and Jobs, Digital Addressing System and Paperless Ports are all being implemented with the intention of ensuring strong economically sustainable footing for now and the future. Indeed Multi-party democracy is nothing more than a system of governance and a means to move a nation and its people forward. It is not an end in itself and should therefore not be placed above national interest.  As efforts are being made to implement these critical policy interventions, the Government in power will be serving the interest of Ghana if it accommodates suggestions and criticisms from people from all walk of lives. The opposition Parties would also be doing the country a great disservice if they just oppose policies of the Government in power for the sake of making them unpopular.
To ensure that the policy summits become a useful, balanced, objective and fair democratic exercise, it will be worthwhile for the organizers to ensure the involvement of all political parties in all sessions of the Summit. After another successful policy summit, the Ministry of Planning and the National Development Planning Commission should pay particular attention to outcomes of the summit and pick inspiration to shape policy guidelines for the nation. Although the Policy Summit is an exclusive initiative of this Government, similar programmes such as National Economic Fora have been held in the past. It may be prudent if in future these programmes are synchronized in a manner that can ensure participation by all regardless of one’s political affiliation. Time, effort and money have gone into these summits and it will not augur well if findings of the summits are not captured and incorporated into our national development agenda.
BY: DAVID OWUSU-AMOAH, CULTURAL COMMUNICATOR &, DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF RESEARCH, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

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