The President of the Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber (GATAC), Dr. Dominic Oduro-Antwi, is calling for legislation that would compel political parties to embed Ghana’s long-term national development plan into their manifestos before assuming office, warning that policy discontinuity across successive governments continues to undermine the country’s progress.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Oduro-Antwi said Ghana’s 40-year national development plan, designed to guide the country toward building a just, free and prosperous society by 2057, risks losing relevance unless it is consistently reflected in government policy. He noted that while successive administrations have rolled out notable initiatives, the absence of a structured, continuous framework weakens their cumulative impact.
He proposed that adherence to the national development framework be treated as a prerequisite for governance in order to strengthen policy stability and accountability. “When a government comes into power and there is a viable project, it must be continued. That is how nations develop,” he said.
Dr. Oduro-Antwi argued that the shared desire among political actors to see Ghana develop points to the need to place national interest above partisan considerations. “Everybody talks about making Ghana better. That tells you Ghana must come first,” he stated.
Beyond legislative reforms, he called for a shift in national mindset, urging both leaders and citizens to commit to a shared development vision. “The plan must not just exist as a document. It must guide decision-making, and we must also change our attitude as a country,” he said.
