The President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, have emphasised the need for a values-driven, citizen-focused approach to developing Ghana’s Consolidated National Development Plan, urging leaders to anchor planning in cultural integrity, accountability, and inclusive oversight.

Speaking during separate engagements with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), on Tuesday, 24th February 2026, Nana Kobina Nketsia V highlighted the importance of visionary leadership and community-centred decision-making. “Leadership is not about the position you occupy; the real leader must have a vision and a followership willing to pursue it. Too often, people chase positions, not progress,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise local capacity over imported models and to channel resources into infrastructure and development projects rather than excessive allowances. 

He also stressed the need for decentralisation, culturally grounded leadership, and strategic city and regional planning to prevent inequities and ensure communities thrive. 

The Chief further highlighted the Western Region’s untapped potential in railways, oil, and industrial fabrication, noting the urgent need to create jobs and retain talent.

He concluded by emphasising that sustainable growth requires both cultural integrity and proactive, value-driven leadership focused on citizens’ well-being.

The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, stressed that integrating traditional governance systems into modern development planning can strengthen local institutions. “Traditional authorities ensured every child learned the values of the community,” he said, noting that revisiting such practices can address contemporary social and economic challenges. He also urged transparency in funding and oversight of long-term projects, stressing that “every project must address the basic needs of the majority, create jobs, and generate growth.” 

Odeefuo Buadu called for the consolidated national development plan to remain politically neutral, accessible to all stakeholders, and visually simplified for traditional authorities. Highlighting successful initiatives such as the Fisheries College at Ananabo and programs that equip students with IT and virtual skills, he said, “By complementing our national development strategies with innovative partnerships and skills development, we ensure that the work of the past is fully utilized and benefits our people.”

Both traditional leaders aligned with the NDPC’s broader agenda to institutionalise long-term planning through the consolidated national development plan, reinforcing the importance of culturally grounded, accountable, and citizen-focused governance. 

Their interventions underscored the role of traditional authority in bridging historical knowledge with modern development frameworks, ensuring that planning is not only strategic but also locally rooted and socially inclusive.

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NDPC PR- UNIT