Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has been appointed as a member of the newly inaugurated 8th National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
The 37-member Commission was inaugurated by President John Dramani Mahama, who charged the body with the critical task of developing a unified, long-term national development plan that transcends political cycles and positions Ghana on a path of sustainable and inclusive transformation.
At the ceremony, President Mahama urged the Commission to "deliver a bold and transformative path" for the country, one that addresses deep-rooted structural limitations and reduces Ghana’s continued reliance on a narrow range of primary commodities. He called for the consolidation of existing long-term frameworks such as the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter, Ghana@100 Long-term Framework, and Vision 2057 Perspective Plan into a single, forward-looking and people-driven national development blueprint.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim’s appointment is viewed as a strategic step in ensuring that local governance, traditional leadership, and religious affairs are fully represented in the national planning discourse. As Minister responsible for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, his presence on the Commission brings critical insight into the realities of grassroots governance, decentralised development, and the role of culture and faith in shaping public behaviour and policy outcomes.
The NDPC, established under the 1992 Constitution and governed by Acts 479 and 480, is responsible for preparing national development plans, monitoring the implementation of government programmes, and providing policy advice to the President and Parliament.
In his address, President Mahama highlighted the Commission’s role in supporting the development of the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies, which he is required to present to Parliament within two years. This programme will, in turn, provide the foundation for Ghana’s next Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework, guiding government operations at both national and subnational levels for the next four years.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim’s experience in governance and local development is expected to add depth to the Commission’s work, particularly in ensuring that the new development plan is inclusive, community-oriented, and anchored in Ghana’s unique cultural and governance systems.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)