NDPC Chairman Calls for Stronger Law Enforcement to Promote National Development

The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Nii Moi Thompson, has called for stronger enforcement of laws and regulations, saying improved compliance by citizens is essential to maintaining social order and advancing national development.

He said effective enforcement would help address indiscipline, vandalism, misuse of public spaces and disregard for regulations, which he noted had wider social and economic consequences.

Dr Thompson made the call during a strategic engagement between the NDPC and the Ghana Police Service as part of consultations on developing the Consolidated National Development Plan.

He said national development was closely linked to both citizens’ behaviour and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for enforcing the law.

“When enforcement is enhanced, habits will improve, because those who don’t even want to comply will be forced to comply,” Dr Thompson said.

He added that institutions themselves must demonstrate the standards they expected citizens to uphold, stressing the need for effective institutions to support responsible citizenship and social order.

The discussions focused on public safety, law and order, institutional capacity, civic responsibility and effective enforcement of laws and regulations.

The Inspector General of Police, Dr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said professionalism in policing was important, while ensuring that public safety and security were not compromised.

He said the Police Service had taken steps to discourage unnecessary roadside checks, although targeted interventions remained necessary to detect stolen vehicles, weapons and other contraband.

On traffic enforcement, DCOP Sammy Amissah of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department said the Police Service was preparing to roll out Traffic Tech, which would deploy technology and fixed cameras to strengthen traffic monitoring and compliance with road regulations.

“God willing, Traffic Tech is expected to be rolled out by October,” he said.

The Director General of the NDPC, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, said the engagement helped the Commission better understand the Police Service’s concerns and proposals for consideration in the national planning process.

She said the discussions would contribute to the Commission’s work on institutional capacity, public safety, civic responsibility and social order under the Consolidated National Development Plan.

Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD