Question

Many development plans have been implemented in Ghana since the first development plan was launched by Sir Gordon Guggisberg in 1919. Most recently, Ghana launched a 40-year development plan by the Mahama-led administration and also a 7 – year development plan was launched by the Akuffo Addo-led administration. Most of these development plans have however failed to live up to their billing.

a. Discuss five major reasons why development plans have performed poorly over the post-independence era in Ghana.
b. Suggest any five practical measures that are needed to ensure the smooth operation of development plans in Ghana in the future.

Answer 1

( a ) Following are the five main reasons why most of development plans have failed in Ghana:-

( I ) Corruption in the government:- Corruption is such a huge problem that no matter how well a development plan has been designed, the funds, by the time reach the implementation stage, are reduced to a very small amount owing to commission money paid to officials and other participants. It leads to almost no scope for further advancement.

( II ) Poor planning:- Most of the times the development plans have been copied from other countries neglecting the uniqueness of the development requirements in the country.

( III ) Low funding:- The funding for projects and development plans are abysmally low which leads to fund crunch during execution of the development plans.

( IV ) Conditionality clauses of IMF / World Bank:- Various loans and development aids from these international bodies put severe limitations on independent functioning of the government. Most of the revenue is served on servicing debt of the country.

( V ) Low level of literacy also hampers execution of development plans as most of the people are illiterate and have no knowledge or awareness of these plans which leads to no to very little accountability of the government.

Following are five practical measures needed to ensure smooth operation of the development plans:-

( I ) Complete elimination of corruption.

( II ) Setting practical goals with achievable targets.

( III ) Emphasis on development of human capital in the country as well as awareness amongst the masses about the development plans.

( IV ) Decentralization of execution and accountability to be entrusted to the masses for local execution of the plans.

( V ) Development plans should be designed after widespread consultation with important stakeholders.