Paragraph 1: Appointment and Significance
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, the Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), to the crucial role of Senior Advisor to the President on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This appointment, effective immediately, underscores Dr. Thompson’s substantial contributions to sustainable development within Ghana and his active involvement in the global formulation of the SDGs during President Mahama’s first term (2013-2016). The selection recognizes Dr. Thompson as a prominent figure in development planning and highlights the importance Ghana places on achieving the SDGs.
Paragraph 2: Presidential Commendation and Global Role
In a letter dated February 12, 2025, President Mahama expressed his appreciation for Dr. Thompson’s past advisory support and affirmed his confidence in Dr. Thompson’s ability to guide Ghana towards achieving the SDGs. This appointment aligns with President Mahama’s elevated international role as co-chair of the High-Level SDGs Advocates Group, a position bestowed upon him by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. This dual leadership, both nationally and internationally, positions Dr. Thompson and President Mahama to effectively champion the SDGs agenda within Ghana and contribute to global efforts.
Paragraph 3: National Economic Dialogue and Past Contributions
Further demonstrating his expertise in economic planning, Dr. Thompson has also been nominated to join the preparatory team for the upcoming National Economic Dialogue. This dialogue aims to address critical economic challenges and chart a path towards sustainable and inclusive growth for Ghana. Dr. Thompson’s previous experience as Economic Advisor to the President and Director-General of the NDPC from 2013 to 2017 equips him well for this task. Notably, he played a pivotal role in organizing the 2014 National Economic Forum, which resulted in the landmark Senchi Consensus, a set of agreed-upon strategies for economic development.
Paragraph 4: NDPC’s Monitoring Role and Implementation
The NDPC, under Dr. Thompson’s continued chairmanship, will assume the critical responsibility of monitoring the implementation of recommendations stemming from the upcoming National Economic Dialogue. This oversight role ensures that the agreed-upon strategies are translated into concrete actions and that progress is tracked effectively. The NDPC will provide regular reports to the President, facilitating informed decision-making and accountability in the pursuit of economic development goals. This structured approach aims to maximize the impact of the National Economic Dialogue and ensure its effectiveness in addressing Ghana’s economic challenges.
Paragraph 5: Synergy and Continuity in Development Planning
Dr. Thompson’s appointment as Senior Advisor on SDGs, coupled with his continued leadership at the NDPC and his involvement in the National Economic Dialogue, creates a powerful synergy in Ghana’s development planning process. This alignment ensures continuity and coherence between national economic strategies and the broader framework of the SDGs. By integrating these efforts, Ghana aims to maximize the impact of its development initiatives and ensure that economic growth contributes to broader social and environmental progress.
Paragraph 6: Focus on Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
The combined focus on the National Economic Dialogue and the SDGs underscores Ghana’s commitment to pursuing a path of sustainable and inclusive economic growth. This approach recognizes that economic progress must be accompanied by social equity and environmental responsibility. By aligning its development agenda with the SDGs, Ghana aims to achieve long-term prosperity while addressing pressing social and environmental challenges, ultimately improving the lives of all its citizens and contributing to a more sustainable future.
