Naa Andani Proposes Law-Backed National Development Plan for Ghana’s Growth

Ghana needs a legally binding national development plan to break the cycle of abandoned projects and ensure sustainable progress, according to Naa Andani, a traditional ruler and former Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Ghana.

A Clear National Blueprint – Naa Andani

Speaking at the inaugural Northern Ghana Development Conference in Tamale, Naa Andani emphasised that a clear, law-encoded national development plan is crucial for guiding the country’s growth agenda. He argued that the absence of such a plan had led successive governments to abandon important projects in favour of new, often partisan priorities, leaving the nation without a clear direction.

Naa Andani appealed to the government to enact a comprehensive national development plan, one that transcends political cycles. “While we pursue our partisan politics, this would ensure we are only gauging speed, not direction,” he said.

Impact of Abandoned Projects

He pointed out that the lack of a consistent national plan had led to many development projects being left incomplete, as each government pursues its priorities. He stressed the need to address this issue in the coming years, particularly to ensure northern Ghana receives its fair share of national development.

Resource Allocation

Naa Andani also called for targeted resource allocation to bridge the development gap between the north and other regions of Ghana. “It behoves government to allocate development finance and capital in a way that purposefully addresses the areas that need it most,” he emphasised.

He further urged Members of Parliament (MPs) behind the conference to institutionalise the initiative to maintain a sustained focus on northern development.

Conference Overview

The conference, initiated by the 57 members of the Northern Caucus of Parliament, including one Independent MP and representatives from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), aimed to foster unity and accelerate the development of northern Ghana.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Northern Development Authority (NDA) and other development partners. It brought together traditional leaders, students, youth groups, assembly members, and religious leaders, all united by a shared vision for the region’s progress.

Focus on Local Development

Dr. Charles Abugre, Executive Director of the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), commended the MPs for initiating the conference. He emphasised the importance of investing in local development to create sustainable jobs and prevent the migration of youth from northern Ghana. He urged both the government and investors to prioritise the region in their development strategies.

National Resources for Northern Ghana

Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader of Parliament, pledged the northern caucus’s commitment to lobbying for a fair share of the national resources to drive transformation in the north. He highlighted the caucus’s efforts to work closely with development partners and international investors to ensure that essential services, such as education, healthcare, water, and electricity, reach the people effectively.

“We have chosen to unite in a bipartisan way and embark on this mission at a time when the President of Ghana himself is from the north,” he said, adding that the caucus was determined to improve the region’s development through sustained collaborative efforts.