Liberty Sphere Training: Policy experts urge Ghana to rethink development planning

Policy experts at the Liberty Sphere Policy Ground Training 2025 in Aburi have urged a fundamental rethink of Ghana’s development framework, cautioning that short political cycles are hindering the country’s long-term growth prospects.

Held under the theme “Ignite Liberty – Shaping Ghana’s Future with Policy and Freedom”, the event convened academics, liberal thinkers, and activists to train nearly 30 participants on the principles of liberty, markets, and policy.

Key speakers included Prof. Enoch Opoku Antwi of Academic City, Dr Eamonn Butler from London’s Adam Smith Institute, Ebenezer Yamusah of the Institute for New Policy Thinking, U.S.-based consultant Bruce Koerber, and Nathaniel Dwamena, President of the YAFO Institute.

Ebenezer Yamusah challenged the effectiveness of Ghana’s National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), asserting it “lacks the structure and independence needed to anchor long-term projects.”

He called for its transformation into an independent entity, stating, “What we are proposing is that we should transform the National Development Planning Commission into an entity that is independent.”

Yamusah emphasized that the restructured body should recruit talent through international competitive processes and be insulated from political interference.

He also advocated for political party manifestos to be linked directly to measurable outcomes in a national development plan rather than short-term promises.

“That is the only way democracy can deliver beyond the text,” he said, referencing Asian economies like South Korea and Singapore that have built institutions capable of sustaining decades-long growth.

Other speakers highlighted the potential of liberty and market-driven policies to ignite innovation among Ghana’s youth. Nathaniel Dwamena stressed the importance of cultivating more individuals who understand “the philosophy and the principle of liberty” to promote “less government intervention, fewer regulations and more individuals flourishing”.

For his part, Prof. Antwi encouraged the youth to practise servant leadership, warning that “freedom without values would not lead to sustainable progress.”

International contributors offered a global perspective. Dr Butler recommended that Ghana could enhance prosperity by easing regulatory bottlenecks, while Bruce Koerber framed liberty as fundamental to human dignity.

The training concluded with a policy pitch competition, where participants presented reform proposals. Organisers described the contest as a tool to test knowledge and prepare youth to translate ideas into actionable projects. Cash prizes of GH¢3,000, GH¢2,000, and GH¢1,000 were awarded to the top three teams.