The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has initiated an evaluation process for the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) 2022-2025, known as Agenda for Jobs II, with the aim of enhancing governance and improving the welfare of Ghanaians. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as Social Protection, Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, Job Creation, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). The evaluation, spanning six months, is anticipated to provide insights that will help shape Ghana’s next medium-term policy framework. By thoroughly examining the current policies, the NDPC seeks to determine their effectiveness and relevance, ensuring that the future strategies align with the country’s developmental goals and good governance practices.
Dr. Eric Akobeng, the Director General of the NDPC, underscored the importance of a transparent and ethical approach towards the evaluation process. This rigorous assessment involves a Cross-Sectoral Planning Group composed of representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as the private sector and subject-matter experts. Furthermore, an Evaluation Reference Group will be established, including academia, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, development partners, and government institutions. The objective of combining these diverse perspectives is to guarantee a comprehensive and holistic evaluation of the MTNDPF’s implementation, which will ultimately guide the creation of a new and more effective national policy framework for the future.
Importance of Cross-Sectoral Planning and Collaboration
The involvement of the Cross-Sectoral Planning Group and various stakeholders is crucial in ensuring that multiple perspectives and expertise are considered during the evaluation process. By including representatives from MDAs, private sectors, and subject-matter experts, the evaluation process becomes more inclusive and representative of different societal needs and interests. This inclusive approach ensures that the evaluation process is not biased toward any specific sector or demographic, thereby promoting a balanced and equitable assessment of national policies. Furthermore, the participation of diverse experts lends greater credibility to the evaluation results, as it encompasses a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted issues affecting Ghanaian society.
In addition to the Cross-Sectoral Planning Group, the establishment of the Evaluation Reference Group plays a pivotal role in the evaluation’s success. This group, encompassing academia, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, development partners, and government institutions, provides an additional layer of scrutiny and diverse insights. Dr. Eric Akobeng emphasized the importance of this group’s role in maintaining transparency and integrity throughout the evaluation process. By involving these varied stakeholders, the NDPC aims to foster a culture of accountability and independent analysis. This collaborative approach ensures that the findings and recommendations generated through the evaluation are robust, well-rounded, and reflective of the broader societal interests, ultimately guiding more effective future policies.
Impact on Policy Framework and Implementation
The evaluation’s outcomes will be instrumental in shaping the next Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework, aligning it closely with Ghana’s aspirations for sustainable development and good governance. Dr. Akobeng highlighted that this structured assessment will guide the development of a new policy framework, ensuring that it is informed by concrete evidence and reflects the nation’s evolving priorities. This assessment not only aims to identify successful policies but also scrutinizes their equity, human-rights basis, and inclusivity regarding disabilities. By adopting such a comprehensive approach, the NDPC seeks to enhance the overall effectiveness of national policies, ensuring that they serve the collective welfare of all Ghanaians.
In line with this goal, Charles Dzradosi, UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist, has reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for Ghana’s policy evaluation systems. Dzradosi emphasized the importance of evaluating policies through the lens of fairness, inclusivity, and alignment with human rights and disability standards. Such an evaluation framework ensures that policies do not merely exist on paper but translate into meaningful impacts on the ground. The recommendations emerging from this evaluation are expected to support Ghana’s pursuit of sustainable development by making policies more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of marginalized communities. This structured, evidence-based approach to policy evaluation promises to improve the overall governance and effectiveness of future policies.
Future Steps and Expected Outcomes
The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has launched an evaluation process for the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) 2022-2025, called Agenda for Jobs II, aiming to enhance governance and boost the welfare of Ghanaians. This initiative targets areas like Social Protection, Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, Job Creation, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Over six months, this evaluation seeks to provide insights to help shape the next policy framework. By examining current policies, the NDPC aims to assess their effectiveness and relevance, ensuring future strategies align with Ghana’s development goals and good governance practices.
Dr. Eric Akobeng, the Director General of NDPC, emphasized a transparent and ethical evaluation process. This thorough assessment involves a Cross-Sectoral Planning Group, with representatives from ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), the private sector, and experts. Additionally, an Evaluation Reference Group will include academia, civil society organizations (CSOs), development partners, and government institutions. Combining these perspectives ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the MTNDPF’s implementation, guiding the creation of an effective future national policy framework.
