The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and community-driven development at the 2025 National Association of Development Planners (NADEP) Conference, held from July 31 to August 1 at the University of Ghana Learning Centre in Sunyani.
The two-day event, themed “Sustainable Decentralised Planning for Resilient Communities: Prospects, Challenges, and the Way Forward,” brought together development planners, policymakers, and experts from across the country to explore strategies for strengthening local planning systems.
Delivering the keynote address, the Acting Director-General of NDPC, Pln. Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah (FGIP), highlighted the urgency of aligning national development goals with grassroots priorities. She stressed the importance of building resilience at the local level to counter the growing threats of climate change, rapid urbanisation, and socio-economic disruptions.
Dr. Amoah acknowledged persistent challenges within the decentralised planning framework — including limited coordination, inadequate resources, and capacity gaps. However, she called on planners and stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches and take proactive leadership in transforming community development efforts.
The NDPC also made significant technical contributions to the conference through two key presentations. Pln. Wilfred Ebo Sam-Awortwi of the Development Plan Coordination Division delivered a session titled “Achieving an Excellent MTDP – The Role of the Planner,” outlining the critical role planners play in ensuring high-quality Medium-Term Development Plans. Bright Atiase, Chief Analyst from the Monitoring and Evaluation Division, also presented on “Integrating the APR into the DDDP,” which addressed how to effectively incorporate Annual Progress Reports into District Development Data Platforms.
The NDPC’s participation reinforced its central role in guiding Ghana’s development trajectory through inclusive, evidence-based, and decentralised planning processes aimed at building resilient and self-sustaining communities.