By Godwill Arthur-Mensah/Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, July 17, GNA – Parliament’s Committee on Economy and Development has begun reviewing the Annual Progress Report (APR) published by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to promote accountability and transparency.
The Report provides a comprehensive assessment of how Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), have implemented government policies, programmes and projects.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps on Friday, Mr Eric Afful, the Chairperson of the Committee, stated that it would use the findings of the Report to engage institutions on their performance, achievements, challenges, budget utilisation and measures to improve service delivery.
He emphasised that the exercise was not punitive but designed to strengthen institutional performance, promote learning, identify policy gaps, and support evidence-based decision-making in Parliament.
The Committee’s Chairperson formally invited Ministers, Chief Directors, Heads of Departments, Chief Executive Officers of Agencies and Heads of MMDAs, and urged institutions to accord the process the highest priority.
He stressed that invitations should be regarded as a constitutional responsibility requiring full cooperation.
“Institutions are expected to appear fully prepared, supported by technical officers, and ready to account comprehensively for the utilisation of public resources, the implementation of approved programmes and projects, and the outcomes achieved during the review period,” he stated.
The Committee underscored the need for accurate, timely, and verifiable information that reflects stewardship of public funds.
The APR is prepared annually by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to track progress in implementing the national development agenda.
It consolidates reports from MDAs and MMDAs, offering Parliament and the public a transparent view of how resources appropriated by the legislature are utilised.
Since its introduction, the APR has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s accountability framework, enabling Parliament to monitor the alignment between government expenditure and development outcomes.
It also provides civil society organisations, development partners and the media with evidence to support advocacy, policy dialogue, and public education.
The Committee noted that the Government’s Resetting Agenda places strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, efficiency, and results-oriented governance.
Active participation in the APR review is therefore seen as a demonstration of institutional commitment to these principles.
Failure to honour invitations or provide required information would be viewed seriously as inconsistent with the standards of accountability and responsible governance underpinning the Resetting Agenda.
The Committee assured that the review would be conducted in a fair, objective, transparent, and constructive manner.
Institutions demonstrating innovation, efficiency, and excellence would have the opportunity to showcase achievements, while those facing challenges would be engaged constructively to identify solutions and policy interventions.
It further assured the public that findings and recommendations from the review would strengthen public sector governance, improve policy implementation, enhance institutional performance and ensure greater accountability in the management of public resources.
The Committee expressed appreciation to the NDPC for preparing the APR, commended the media for their indispensable role in promoting transparency, and called on civil society organisations and development partners to support the accountability exercise.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporters:
Godwill Arthur-Mensah/ [email protected]
Elsie Appiah-Osei/ [email protected]