News:
March 19, 2013
Members of Parliament have called for increased financial resources for the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to enable it effectively run its activities.
The Commission exists to advise the President of the Republic of Ghana on national development framework and ensuring that strategies and programs are effectively carried out for the asccelerated development of the country which will provide continuous improvement in living standards of Ghanaians.
But the delay in releasing funds for the Commission which in most cases are inadequate has been obstructing planned activities and programs of the commission.
This issue came to light on the floor of Parliament when the House approved a total of Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-four Ghana Cedis(GHC8,994,734) for the implementation of programs and activities of the Commission for the 2013 financial year.
The MP for Old Tafo and Ranking Member of the Finance Committee in Parliament Dr Akoto Osei in his contribution on the debate for approving the budget estimate wondered why a commission directly under the presidency will have difficulties in accessing enough funds for its activities. He urged the president to show interest in the work of the Commission as it plays an important role in nation building.
The MP for Obuasi West Kweku Kwarteng on his part called for a legal amendment to made to enable a cut on the high number of commissioners, adding that the money saved as a result of this action must be used in training a lot of technical staff of the commission which is currently inadequate.
He noted that at the moment the commission can boast of only 14 out of 52 technical and critical staff required for its optimal functioning.
Meanwhile Parliament has also approved an amount GHC 56,968,314 for the Ministry of Communication and GHC447,495,901for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to enable them implement their programmes and policies for the year 2013.