The Ghana Institute of Planning (GIP) has documented a position paper as a ‘comprehensive guide’ for political parties in Ghana to address key development and spatial planning issues in the country.
GIP said it has observed over the years that political parties in in this country often face difficulties in implementing ‘promises’ outlined in their manifestos and, at times, overlook key development issues once they assume power.
It mentioned factors such as budget constraints, changing economic conditions and unforeseen challenges, among others as the things that usually contribute to implementation gaps.
GIP, thus, says it has three key areas political parties should prioritize when developing their manifesto in order to address these issues and create a ‘prosperous and resilient nation.’
It specified Human Settlement, Environment and Infrastructure Development, Social Development and Economic Development as key areas political parties should prioritize in order to address economic challenges, improve social development services, implement sustainable environmental practices, and ensure the continuity of infrastructure projects beyond political manifestos
In relation to Human Settlements, Environment and Infrastructure Development, GIP advised political parties to include in their manifestoes to build the capacity of LUSPA and the MMDAs to ensure planned and well-developed human settlements.
”Well-planned cities provide the best potential for people to live a good quality of life. However, the lack of enforcement of development controls and the ineffectiveness of land use planning regulations have resulted in haphazard and sprawling urban developments across Ghana, resulting in undesirable outcomes such as flooding, fire outbreaks, accidents, and inaccessibility to basic social amenities,” GIP expressed
GIP is also stressing on the need for public housing initiatives, environmental policy enforcement as well as infrastructure development aligned with long-term national objectives for sustainable progress.
GIP bemoaned the fact that in Ghana, it’s common for each new government to focus more on economic growth than on making strong efforts to improve social services like healthcare, education, housing, water, and sanitation, which are crucial for enhancing the overall quality of life for the people.
It has, therefore, proposed strategies for a thriving national social development in Ghana which includes reevaluating education reforms for better access to quality education, promoting a national language policy, enhancing health insurance and healthcare services, supporting public-private housing initiatives, strengthening affordable housing programs, fostering a business-friendly environment for job creation, establishing modern recreation centers across regions, enhancing social protection, improving water quality and access, offering tax benefits to essential staff in underserved areas, and showing stronger commitment to implementing social development initiatives.
In relation to economic development, GIP cautioned political party manifestoes to reflect applicable intentions on how to prioritize and address economic development challenges in the face of the scarcity of resources.
The GIP also outlined some key economic priorities that are expected to be highlighted in all manifestos. These include addressing public debt financing and sustainability, reducing inflation rates, and ensuring stability in currency and exchange rates. It’s crucial for manifestos to focus on responsible fiscal management, strategies to lower national debt, transparency in financial management, sustainable policy directions to combat inflation, and measures to stabilize the currency against major foreign currencies.
Date: March 19, 2024
