By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, led by Madam Kenyeh Barlay and Deputy, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, is actively engaging stakeholders nationwide in extensive discussions to shape the forthcoming Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for the period 2024-2030.
These consultations, currently underway in all 16 districts, focus on identifying and prioritizing district needs to guide the formulation of the MTNDP. The seven-year plan aligns with the ambitious targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030 and the African Union 2063 Agenda, while also incorporating the government’s Big Five Game Changers and four enablers—integral national priorities.
The Ministry is collaborating closely with the Bi-Monthly Districts Development Coordination Committees (DDCC), established at Councils to efficiently coordinate development efforts at the district level. During these consultative meetings, stakeholders from diverse sectors will engage in dialogues, expressing their perspectives on crucial issues and identifying the needs to be integrated into the upcoming plan.
This participatory approach aims to ensure that the MTNDP (2024-2030) reflects the unique development priorities of each district, aligning with their individual Development Plans.
Moreover, these engagements serve the dual purpose of raising awareness among District and Chiefdom stakeholders about the government’s Big Five Game Changers.
This proactive step not only informs participants about the broader strategic direction of the new plan but also encourages inclusive governance in the national development planning process.
By sensitizing stakeholders to the government’s priorities, the Ministry seeks to facilitate the identification of district development priorities, ultimately contributing to an accelerated and transformational national development plan for the years 2024-2030.
These engagements are followed by informative phone-in radio discussions, gathering perspectives from community residents who may not have had the opportunity to attend the sessions.