NDPC short of personnel

Page 17, Dec 13, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), tasked to provide the framework for accelerated development and advise the President on national development planning and policy strategy, is finding it difficult to attract the needed staff for the execution of its task.
The commission informed Parliament that as a result of the poor conditions of service, it was “finding it difficult to attract, motivate and retain the required calibre of staff”.
A report presented to Parliament by the Finance Committee of Parliament on the 2008 budget estimates of the commission said the NDPC currently had only 15 out of the minimum 50 technical staff required for the effective performance of its functions.
The report observed that although the commission had programmed to recruit 17 people to replace those who had left, the reduction in personnel emoluments allocation would make that recruitment impossible.
The House yesterday approved GH¢1.9 million for the operations of the commission for the 2008 fiscal year, out of the GH¢3.4 million it requested for.
Although the commission requested for GH¢205,884.68 as personnel emoluments, it was granted GH¢178,178, an amount the committee observed was woefully inadequate and advised that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning put in place measures to bridge the gap.
Contributing to the debate on the approval of the budget for the commission, some Members of Parliament (MPs) stressed the need to ensure that personnel of the commission were well paid to enable the commission to successfully carry out its mandate.
The MP for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mr P.C. Appia-Ofori, said the Finance Committee took cognisance of the important role of the NDPC during its deliberations and, therefore, called on the Ministry of Finance to supplement its budget through the HIPC fund.
The House deferred the approval of the budget estimates for the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for further deliberations before their approval.
It, however, approved GH¢71.99 million for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD; GH¢113 million for the revenue agencies and GH¢90 million for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.