Story by, Nsor Paul Mensah
In a recent discussion on national development planning, Hon. Seth Terkper Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Former Minister of Finance emphasized the critical need for improved long-term strategic planning and implementation.
The conversation revealed significant challenges in transforming national development plans into tangible progress.
Seth Terkper highlighted the importance of sustained, forward-looking planning, drawing comparisons with countries like China that have successfully implemented decades-long development strategies. The discussion underscored the persistent issues of short-term thinking and inadequate monitoring of development initiatives.
Participants pointed out several critical challenges, including:
- Ineffective translation of strategic objectives into actionable budgets
- Lack of comprehensive monitoring mechanisms
- Insufficient coordination between key government ministries
- Limited use of technological solutions for tracking development progress
The experts suggested that automation and improved coordination between the Ministry of Finance and National Development Planning Commission could help address these systemic challenges.
The meeting concluded with a call for increased public awareness and a more systematic approach to national development planning, emphasizing the need for long-term vision and consistent implementation.