Organisational Structure
The Organisational Structure of NDPC Secretariat was determined under:
- Statutory role of the Commission
- Decentralized and integrated nature of the new planning process (as determined by law)
- Structure of the machinery of Government business
- Working relationship of the Commission with statutory Planning Authorities and other developmental agencies
- Cost effectiveness of operations
The Organisational Structure of the Secretariat was prescribed by the PNDC in accordance with a proposed National Development Planning Lawof 1989. Although this "Law" was formally approved by the PNDC it was never promulgated. (see 2).
However, in accordance with this "Law" the NDPC was established in April 1990 and structured strictly along sectoral lines as postulated in the proposed Law. Section 9 of the "Law" provided that NDPC is to be organised into (a) Office of the Chairman, from where the Integrated Development Planning Group (IDPG) would operate, and (b) five Divisions namely:
- Economic Policy Division
- Production and Technology Policy Division
- Social Policy Division
- Spatial Policy Division
- General Services Division
The IDPG, which consisted of the Chairman, the Secretary of the Commission and the full time Commissioners appointed as heads of the Policy Planning Divisions, was to be chaired by the Chairman of the Commission. The function of the group was to integrate and co-ordinate the activities of the Divisions.
Furthermore, the unpromulgated "Law" stipulates that The Commission shall have a Secretary who shall be responsible to the Chairman, for the efficient administration of the Commission.
In the course of operationalising the Organisational Structure, it became necessary to set up a sixth Division:- Environmental Policy Division. The IDPG was moved from the Office of the Chairman to a newly created office of the Secretary to the Commission.
After the completion of work on the Long-Term Development Policy Framework (now called GHANA-VISION 2020), the Environmental Policy and the Spatial Policy Divisions were merged into a new ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY DIVISION, whilst the IDPG was wound up since its principal function had been taken over by the Director's Meeting.
A new Division, PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT DIVISION was set up to liaise with the Sector Ministries/Departments/Agencies (MDAs) and the District Assemblies in the administration of development including plan preparation.
At the end of 1996, a new Organisational Structure was in place in the light of the totality of responsibilities envisaged under the NDPC Act 479 and National Development Planning (System) Act, 1994, (Act 480).
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