The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) on Tuesday, 14th July 2026, hosted the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) to discuss a proposed annual, locally led research and survey programme aimed at tracking inequalities within and across northern Ghana.

The proposed initiative seeks to generate evidence on the nature, drivers, and evolving patterns of inequality among Ghana’s northern zones, while providing insights to support policy formulation and development planning.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of ISODEC, Mr. Sam Salifu Danse, highlighted that the initiative was established in response to identified gaps in research on inequalities affecting northern Ghana. He indicated that the programme would serve as a platform for continuous evidence generation to enhance understanding of the factors contributing to regional disparities.

He emphasised that NDPC’s involvement would be critical in identifying the underlying causes of north south disparities and ensuring that research findings are effectively communicated to government to inform policy decisions and development interventions.

Mr. Danse further noted that ISODEC valued its collaboration with NDPC and expressed confidence that the Commission’s engagement would enhance the relevance, credibility, and policy impact of the research initiative.

In her remarks, the Director General of NDPC, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, welcomed the proposal and noted that the Commission had encountered concerns relating to regional disparities during its recent stakeholder engagements across all sixteen regions.

She indicated that NDPC had established an internal committee comprising Commissioners with relevant expertise to examine related development issues. She described ISODEC’s proposal as “a step in the right direction” that could support evidence based policymaking, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, minimise duplication of efforts, and promote the efficient use of resources.

Contributing to the discussions, consultant Dr. Bishop Akolgo emphasised the importance of examining inequality beyond income disparities to include gender, ethnicity, social exclusion, and other structural dimensions. He highlighted concerns regarding unequal economic exchanges between northern and southern Ghana and encouraged the research team to adopt a comprehensive approach by incorporating indicators such as infrastructure development, access to services, and economic opportunities.

The Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at NDPC, Mr. Bright Atiase, underscored the significance of the initiative, particularly as the Commission is currently preparing a long term national development plan. He noted that the research findings could provide valuable evidence to guide national development priorities and support the formulation of responsive policies.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore areas of collaboration between NDPC and ISODEC to ensure that research on inequality contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s development planning processes.
Integrated Social Development Centre - Isodec

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NDPC PR-UNIT