UDS Play Host to Fourth Edition of 2018 National Policy Summit
The Tamale campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) played host to the fourth edition of the 2018 National Policy Summit on Government’s flagship programmes. The two-day summit which was under the theme “Assessing Government’s Flagship Programmes” is an initiative of the Ministry of Information aimed at engaging major stakeholders on Government’s strategy for Ghana’s sustainable growth and development. The thematic areas discussed during the summit included the Infrastructure for Poverty Education Programme, (IPEP); Policy on Free Senior High School for all Ghanaian children (The Double Track System); Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme; Assessment of the One Village, One Dam; Assessment of One District One Factory; Technical and Vocational Training Programme (TVET); National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) status and Small and Micro Enterprise (SME) financing. Present at the opening ceremony was the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, ministers of state, some principal officers from the University, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, traditional leaders, civil society groups, academia, industry players and the general public. The event was chaired by the Kpembe-Wura, Paramout Chief of the Kpembe Traditional Area.
The Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia explained that the organisation of the summit in the North was to ensure that all Ghanaians were exposed to a deeper understanding of government’s programmes and policies. “These policy summits have been designed to provide the coordinated communication tools to share and inform Ghanaians about the different government programmes and policies across ministries, departments and agencies” he said. The Vice President added that engagement with major stakeholders during the summit was a strategic arrangement to allow for the critical assessment of government’s planned programmes and policies. “Through this platform which brings major stakeholders together for a collaborative and constructive engagement in the development of our dear nation, we hope to improve the Ghanaian’s understanding of what government is doing, get their feedback and improve on what it is that we may be overlooking or not doing right” Dr. Bawumia remarked.
The plenary sessions were facilitated by faculty of the UDS.