Accra: The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has commenced a three-day validation meeting today, Monday, 18 May 2026, on the draft 2025 National Annual Progress Report (APR), bringing together representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), development partners, and students to review progress under Ghana's 2022-2025 Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework.
According to Ghana Web, Richard Tweneboah-Kodua, in his opening remarks, highlighted the significance of stakeholder collaboration and evidence-based reporting in national development planning. He noted that the Annual Progress Report has been a crucial accountability tool since its inception under the Fourth Republican Constitution. 'The Annual Progress Report serves as an important instrument for measuring Ghana's progress in implementing nationally agreed development plans. It also enables us to track our commitments under regional, continental, and global development frameworks and protocols,' he stated.
Tweneboah-Kodua further explained that the work of institutions extends beyond data collection and reporting, emphasizing that 'the information we generate contributes to improved healthcare delivery, better livelihoods, stronger businesses, enhanced environmental management, and more efficient public services.' He commended MDAs, RCCs, and MMDAs for their continued support to the APR process over the years and noted that the 2025 reporting cycle presents a learning opportunity ahead of the new 2026 to 2029 Medium Term Development Framework. This final reporting cycle, according to him, should help refine indicators, strengthen data quality, improve timeliness, and enhance overall reporting systems going forward.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, in his keynote address, urged participants to move beyond routine reporting and focus on impact, performance, and productivity. He acknowledged that while Ghana has consistently developed plans and produced Annual Progress Reports, implementation gaps persist, constraining national transformation. 'It is not enough to go through the motions or fulfil procedural requirements. We must be equally concerned about the actual results and impact of our efforts,' Dr Thompson added.
Dr Thompson also discussed Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, underscoring the need for stronger feedback mechanisms to improve policy implementation and outcomes. He pointed out that several long-term development strategies, including the 40 Year Development Plan, Ghana Beyond Aid, Ghana at 100, and Vision 2057, had not been fully implemented. 'The challenge is not the absence of plans. The challenge is implementation,' he emphasised, stressing the role of strong institutions, discipline, and productivity in achieving sustainable development.
The Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Bright Attiase, highlighted the growing importance of the APR process and increased parliamentary scrutiny. He cautioned institutions against delays in submitting reports, noting that the process can no longer be treated as routine. Attiase disclosed that some institutions had already been invited to appear before Parliament's Select Committee on Economy and Development to account for the implementation of their 2024 plans and programmes. He mentioned that only 28 institutions had submitted their reports out of the expected number, with 10 still outstanding, and indicated that stronger enforcement measures would be considered for institutions that continue to default on reporting requirements.
The Chief Analyst of the Commission, Isaac Ewoe, guided participants through the APR preparation process and outlined expectations for the syndicate group discussions. He stressed the need to link data and indicators to policy outcomes and development objectives, stating that 'as participants review the reports, they are expected not only to present the data, but also to explain the implications of the findings for the goals and objectives outlined in the policy framework.' Ewoe added that each indicator must have a corresponding target and baseline to enable effective assessment of institutional performance, ensuring that 'these reports must reflect the true realities and lived experiences of Ghanaians. There should be no disconnect between what is documented and what citizens experience on the ground.'
The meeting concluded with participants breaking into four syndicate groups to review sector-specific findings, assess data quality, validate indicators, and make recommendations for the finalisation of the 2025 National Annual Progress Report.