The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has begun a four-month review of Ghana’s Infrastructure Plan (GIP) as part of efforts to establish a more consistent and predictable framework for infrastructure development across the country.
The NDPC has inaugurated a Technical Committee to review, update and finalise the GIP, with a mandate to align the plan with current sector policies, master plans, regulations and infrastructure investment programmes.
Chairman of the NDPC, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, said the review was necessary to move Ghana away from what he described as a “stop-and-go approach” to national development.
“It’s important that we move away from this stop-and-go approach to national development and have a more consistent, predictable, and transparent approach,” he said.
He said the updated infrastructure plan should provide clear direction for infrastructure development while establishing a governance framework to ensure projects were procured and delivered effectively, efficiently and transparently.
Dr Thompson identified energy, water, transport and logistics, and digital infrastructure as critical areas requiring attention under the plan.
He also called for stronger institutional capacity, greater decentralisation of implementation and deliberate efforts to strengthen Ghana’s construction sector.
The committee is expected to review the existing GIP against current sector infrastructure plans, policies and master plans and integrate the National Spatial Development Framework into the updated plan.
Director-General of the NDPC, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, said the committee would also consult key stakeholders and update the plan’s results framework, indicators and milestones.
It will further propose institutional arrangements for implementing the infrastructure plan at both national and district levels and identify sustainable financing options.
These options are expected to include infrastructure bonds, government revenue and public-private partnerships.
The committee is convened by Mr Daniel Amofa, Chief Analyst at the NDPC, who pledged the members’ commitment to completing the assignment.
The review is expected to provide a long-term framework to guide infrastructure planning, financing and delivery while improving coordination between national and local-level development priorities.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
