For many decades, the developmental path of Ghana, similar to that of many other African countries, has been significantly shaped by the level of financial investments, the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the scope of annual infrastructure projects.
In journalistic reports and ministerial briefings, terms such as “macroeconomic stability,” “fiscal discipline,” and “growth objectives” prevail. But beneath these glossy figures lies a growing discontent: the lived realities of many Ghanaians are not improving at the same pace as the numbers suggest.
Following over a decade of involvement in public sector governance and applied intelligence, I propose that we must address a crucial question: growth for whom, and to what end?
Existing Framework
The existing national development framework assumes that economic growth will universally benefit society. Nonetheless, this assumption has been proven to be incorrect for numerous young people in Nima, traders in Wa, cocoa farmers in Enchi, and yam cultivators in New Longoro.
Despite the potential pride associated with a reported GDP growth rate of 3.2% or advancements in highway construction, youth unemployment continues to escalate, the quality of education in rural areas declines, and essential services remain unreachable for substantial segments of our population.
Economic Growth
It is vital to acknowledge that while economic growth is undoubtedly significant, it is inadequate when viewed in isolation.
It must be intricately connected to the principles of equity, opportunity, and informed decision-making. Our national emphasis should transition from merely monitoring growth metrics to achieving concrete developmental outcomes.
This requires a redefinition of success within our planning frameworks and the establishments of inclusive systems that prioritize marginalized groups, decentralize opportunities, and integrate local insights into national policy.
More importantly, it necessitates the creation of intelligent systems that utilize data, contextual knowledge, and foresight to adequately plan both the infrastructure we develop and the rationale behind it, including the intended beneficiaries and expected impacts.
Practical Examples
Let’s take a practical example. In Costa Rica, the government made a bold move by measuring national progress not just through economic metrics but through a “well-being index” that incorporates access to health, education, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.
A planning culture that focuses on human development over headline growth, and one that has made Costa Rica one of the most equitable and stable societies, in Latin America.
In a similarly transformative manner, New Zealand enacted a “Wellbeing Budget” in 2019, directing fiscal allocations based on criteria such as mental health, child poverty, and Indigenous empowerment, not merely assessed from an economic return standpoint.
These nations may not inherently possess greater resources than Ghana; rather, they adhere to a distinct governance philosophy that places individuals, not mere statistics at the core of development.
Ghana Experience
In Ghana, our approach has frequently leaned toward a technocratic model, where ministries independently devise plans, regions encounter inconsistent funding distributions, and youth engagement tends to be reactive, responding to emerging crises.
Envision a planning framework where regional priorities are collaboratively established with local assemblies utilizing real-time data; where youth unemployment is proactively monitored through digital labor registries; and where major infrastructure projects are evaluated not solely for their financial viability and completion but also in terms of their contributions to gender equity, educational accessibility, and job creation.
This vision is not speculative. For example, Rwanda has successfully established a National Data Dashboard that monitors Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-linked indicators across all districts.
Each local government’s performance is evaluated based on quantitative as well as qualitative metrics, encompassing inclusivity, service delivery, and citizen satisfaction. This systematic approach ensures resource allocation is determined by necessity and performance rather than by political influence or lobbying power.
Requisite Data
A similar achievement is attainable in Ghana. The requisite data is already in place ntities like the Ghana Statistical Service, Social Protection Secretariat, and various think tanks have amassed comprehensive datasets over the years. What remains is the intelligent integration of these insights into policy formulation and performance evaluation.
Furthermore, it is imperative to scrutinize our frameworks for public-private partnerships. All too often, these collaborations are assessed solely through financial metrics returns on investment, tax incentives, and infrastructure development.
Way forward
By incorporating Social Return on Investment (SROI) as a fundamental criterion, including the number of local jobs created or the extent to which a project enhances climate resilience, we can cultivate partnerships that genuinely elevate individuals from poverty, transcending mere infrastructural gains.
To facilitate this transformation, it is essential to empower our leadership—at all levels—with essential applied intelligence tools.
This involves training in data interpretation, scenario analysis, and systemic thinking. It necessitates re-conceptualizing our planning institutions as centers of innovation rather than bureaucratic entities.
Ultimately, it requires the courage to move beyond merely celebrating economic size to valuing meaningful impact.
In conclusion, redefining national development does not entail a rejection of growth; rather, it advocates for contextualization.
It necessitates aligning each percentage point of GDP growth with the genuine well-being of Ghanaians, especially those in underserved communities, marginalized demographics, and future generations.
That promotes a transformation from a state that simply implements projects to one that fosters opportunities.
