Imoro Advocates Non-Partisan National Development Policy

The Executive Director of Media in Partnership For Development (MIPD), has advocated a non-partisan formulation of a vision for national development.

Mr Ben Imoro said a national vision document which was non-partisan would be the yardstick to measure the manifestos of the various political parties.

Interacting with the media in Accra, Mr Imoro said a national blueprint would reduce the over-reliance on party manifestos for development.

He added that with the establishment of a national development agenda, Ghana would still move on to achieve its goals no matter the political party in power.

Mr Imoro said a national vision would also enable the nation to assess its progress and determine the areas that might need improvement.

“We are not suggesting that the government of the day should give us a vision, the government only facilitates and allows all stakeholders, including the media, to formulate a cohesive and enduring national vision—a vision of the people, by the people and for the people,” he said.

Mr Imoro said since 1951 Ghana had witnessed different national development visions under different governments, but no government had been able to successfully achieve those visions.

He also proposed a review of the governance system to suit the lifestyle and traditions of all Ghanaians.

According to Mr Imoro, countries like the United States of America, Britain, Canada, practised democracy but in different forms to suit the lifestyles and traditions of its citizens.

He said some terms adopted in Ghana’s system of governance were divisive, a situation which did not help in the achievement of our purpose.

According to him, the terms “opposition” denoted conflict, while “minority” was demeaning and did not unite Ghanaians as one people.

Mr Imoro, therefore, proposed a change of the term “opposition” or “minority” to “an alternate government” that would include all parties in the governance.

He said the traditional system of governance practised by traditional communities before the introduction of democracy bonded the people in unity and love.

Mr Imoro called on the media to be impartial in the discharge of its duties, and advised practitioners to see themselves as uniting factors to help move the nation forward.