National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has emphasized the need for policy continuity in Ghana. Speaking at the 4th Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Sunyani on September 19, 2026, he encouraged successive governments to improve programs that are delivering results instead of abandoning them due to political changes. According to him, governments have a responsibility to discontinue failing policies, but there is little justification for scrapping effective programs simply because political administrations have changed.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah noted that Ghana has a habit of abandoning too much, which often results in existing programs being renamed or restructured, with additional public funds spent to achieve almost the same objective. He stated that this approach deprives the country of the full benefit of investments already made. Instead, he suggested that governments should focus on improving and building on successful programs, allowing the country to receive the benefits of its investments.
The Ghana Statistical Service recently reported 6.0% annual GDP growth for the second quarter of 2026 and inflation of 5.0% for August 2026. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah emphasized that the significance of economic improvement will ultimately depend on whether it translates into better incomes, stronger businesses, and improved living conditions. He stressed that infrastructure investments should be assessed according to the economic activity they are expected to generate.
Using the Bono Region as an example, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah suggested that investment in roads should be complemented by measures to improve agricultural processing, storage, logistics, and access to markets. This, he believes, will enable farmers to retain more value from their produce. He also emphasized that the same principle should apply to other sectors, with government planning ahead for population growth, urbanization, energy demand, housing, transport, and the changing skills requirements of the labor market.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah noted that Ghana has experienced situations where good policies were abandoned and bad policies were defended for too long because admitting mistakes was difficult in politics. He urged political leaders to learn from previous experiences and make decisions based on what works for the country rather than political ownership. He emphasized that continuity does not mean preserving every program or policy indefinitely, but maintaining useful interventions while improving areas that require change.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah also highlighted the importance of the media in tracking government programs over time and establishing whether commitments made by administrations translate into results. He urged journalists to keep records that will allow citizens to assess development commitments years after their announcement. This, he believes, will enable citizens to hold governments accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah emphasized that Ghana cannot afford to repeatedly start from the beginning, given that considerable public resources have already been spent on development programs. He urged political leaders to prioritize policy continuity and build on successful programs to ensure sustainable development. By doing so, Ghana can make progress and achieve its development goals.
Key points
- Asiedu Nketiah urges Ghanaian governments to prioritize policy continuity and build on successful programs.
