The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has held a strategic engagement with a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), led by Deputy Representative Lucia Soleti, as part of ongoing consultations on the midterm review of UNICEF’s Country Programme (2023–2027).

The meeting forms part of continued collaboration between NDPC and UNICEF to strengthen alignment between national development priorities and child- and youth-focused interventions in Ghana.

Providing an update on the review process, Ms Soleti explained that the exercise, conducted as a standard midpoint assessment within the programme cycle, has been extended to June 2026 to allow for broader consultations with government institutions and development partners. She noted that the process has progressed beyond internal assessment to a more forward-looking and consultative phase involving key national stakeholders.

The outcome of the review is expected to inform the refinement of programme priorities and the development of revised work plans beyond June 2026, in alignment with national development frameworks.

She further highlighted that the review is being undertaken in consideration of UNICEF’s forthcoming Global Strategic Plan (2026–2029) and Ghana’s Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (2026–2029), to ensure coherence with national priorities, particularly in areas affecting children and young people.

Responding, the Director-General of NDPC, Audrey Smock Amoah, welcomed the update and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the process. She emphasised NDPC’s readiness to provide technical input and underscored the importance of strengthened collaboration and effective information sharing among stakeholders.

Dr Amoah also highlighted the need for sustained and predictable resourcing to consolidate gains and scale development impact, while expressing appreciation for UNICEF’s continued partnership in advancing Ghana’s development agenda.

The engagement reaffirmed the strong collaboration between NDPC and UNICEF, with both institutions committed to enhancing policy coherence, strengthening evidence-based planning, and improving development outcomes for children and youth.

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NDPC PR-UNIT