Long term plans must have legal backing — Professor Peter Quartey

A FORMER director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, Professor Peter Quartey, has called for long-term national development plan that is legally binding on all successive governments. 

According to him, such a plan, with its legal backing, would ensure a smooth development and growth of the country.

He also called on the nation to undertake bold tax reforms to generate the revenue needed for sustained funding of development projects.

Professor Quartey made these remarks while speaking at the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting in Accra yesterday.

On the theme, “Beyond Political Cycles: Creating Long-Term Development Pathways for Sustainable Investor Confidence,” Prof. Quartey warned that the frequent abandonment or reversal of sound policies initiated by previous administrations remained one of the biggest obstacles to Ghana’s progress.

“Good policies started by one government are cancelled by the next; that cycle must stop,” he stressed, adding that only legally binding long-term development frameworks would give investors the confidence that projects and policies would outlive political tenures.

He further called for a complete overhaul of leadership selection at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), insisting that the Commission must be headed by technocrats appointed through transparent, non-partisan processes, rather than political affiliates.

“In some countries, the Vice-President heads the equivalent of the NDPC because it is taken that seriously. We need leadership that is robust, competent and insulated from partisan considerations,” he said.

Funding

On funding, the former ISSER director said Ghana must broaden and deepen its tax base to finance its own development, instead of relying on volatile external borrowing and aid.

“We have to fund our development ourselves. That means serious tax reforms — widening the tax net, improving compliance, plugging leakages and ensuring progressive taxation. Without reliable domestic revenue, investor confidence will remain fragile because governments will keep changing priorities based on who is lending or donating at any particular time,” Prof. Quartey stated.

He emphasised that sustained and intense government funding of priority development projects, backed by home-grown revenue, was the surest way to break the boom-and-bust cycle that scares long-term investors.

The breakfast meeting, attended by policymakers, business leaders and academics, also heard contributions underlining the need for research-driven policy and continuity beyond election cycles.

However, Professor Quartey’s twin calls for legally binding plans and far-reaching tax reforms dominated the conversation as the practical steps needed to place Ghana’s development trajectory beyond the reach of political volatility.

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