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NDPC presents vision 2057 Development Framework to President Akufo-Addo

The National Development Planning Commission has on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, presented a new Long-term National Development Perspective Framework, dubbed VISION 2057 to the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, in Accra.

The document, according to Proffessor Gyan Baffour, Board Chairman of NDPC, outlines a comprehensive vision for the country’s development when Ghana attains 100 years since independence.

The Framework envisions Ghana as a prosperous, self-reliant environmental sustainability and is guided by the Black Star Rising: Long-Term National Development Plan commonly known as the 40-year Plan which was to be implemented from 2018-2057.

The NDPC claims that the preparation of this vision document was necessitated by the exigencies of current development challenges facing Ghana, as a result of the devastating impact of COVID-19, the geo-political uncertainties, and the macro-economic fallout and as a result, proposes a more general development of specific policies and programmes in their medium-term development plans.

Describing it as a non-prescriptive development blueprint that is broad based, aspirational and all-inclusive, they said, VISION 2057, integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions of development with the vision for a free, just, prosperous, and self-reliant nation, which secures the welfare and happiness of its citizens, while playing a leading role in international affairs” by 2057.

The vision emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and good governance, it envisions a prosperous nation with a strong economy, equitable social development, environmental preservation, and effective governance with the overall goal to improve the living standards of Ghanaians and attain an upper middle-income country status and recognise the challenges posed by population dynamics, urbanisation, and various risks, and thus provides strategic direction for resilience and preparedness.

According to the NDPC, Drivers of Transformation, which encompasses economic development, social development, natural and built environment, build effective, efficient and dynamic institutions and emergency preparedness and resilience, will ensure the achievement of sustainable macro-economic stability; enabling attitudinal culture for sustainable social cohesion; ensuring peace and security; providing an effective and efficient public service and institutional strengthening; enhancing human capital development for improved productivity; advancing science, technology and innovation; providing effective land reforms; guaranteeing sustainable infrastructural development; and delivering clean, affordable and sustainable energy transitional path

Describing the framework as forward looking, President Akufo-Addo said, to have a plan that accommodates the reality of the multi-party democratic state that we have in Ghana, which allows people to come with different commitments to the seat of government is very important.

The President added that, “today we have a framework with certain targets which can guide all of us going forward, and which can guide us in the shaping of our manifesto whilst recognizing the importance of a manifesto, in the governance of a nation because that is the contract between the parties and the people of Ghana.”

“They are the products of social engagements. Not everybody would have thought that this FreeSHS matter was a priority for the country. There are still people who question it. And if they were in office, perhaps that’s not what would have been the emphasis, but for me it was a priority and I said so to the people of Ghana before I came here,” he continued.

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Communication Ministry To Train 3000 Girls This Year Under The Girls-In-ICT Initiative

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is set to train 3,000 girls under this year’s Girls-In-ICT Initiative.

The 2025 edition of the programme will expand its footprint to three key regions: Volta, Upper East and Upper West, with each region hosting 1,000 girls for in-person training sessions.

This marks a significant increase in reach and impact compared to previous years, where only 500 girls received face-to-face training while an additional 500 participated online.

By offering full in-person training to all participants this year, the Ministry aims to provide a more immersive and hands-on experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education.

The Minister, Samuel Nartey George (MP) revealed this when a team from TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) paid a courtesy call on him today in his office and expressed interest in supporting the Girls-In-ICT Initiative.

During the meeting, the TCS team led by the President-MEA, Sumanta Roy commended the Ministry for its efforts in promoting digital inclusion and bridging the gender gap in technology through the Girls-In-ICT programme.

They emphasized the alignment of the initiative with TCS’s global corporate social responsibility agenda, which includes advancing education, promoting digital skills, and empowering underrepresented groups, especially young women in the tech industry.

The Honourable Minister welcomed the interest shown by TCS and noted that strategic partnerships like this are essential to the sustainability and expansion of the initiative.

The Girls-In-ICT Initiative, one of the Ministry’s flagship programs, seeks to equip young girls with practical digital skills and introduce them to the vast opportunities within the ICT sector.

The initiative also aims to address gender disparity in STEM fields and encourage greater female participation in Ghana’s digital economy.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP) speaking about the 2025 rollout, stated: “This year’s program represents our commitment to building inclusive digital skills and creating future leaders in tech.

By expanding in-person sessions to all participants, we’re ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, engage, and grow with hands-on support from professionals and mentors”.

Participants in this year’s training will receive instruction in coding, basic computer operations, cybersecurity and creative digital tools.

The programme also features mentorship sessions with women in tech, ICT competitions and career development workshops designed to build confidence and spark innovation among the girls.

According to the Minister, empowering girls today with ICT skills will transform communities and drive national development. The initiative is a key part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, which emphasizes equitable access to digital tools and education for all citizens.

About the Girls In ICT Initiative:

The Girls-in-ICT (GIICT) Initiative was introduced in Ghana in 2012. It is an initiative by the International Telecommunications Union to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT.

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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank

A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.

The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.

The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.

Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.

The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.