Oppong Nkrumah demands these 7 gov't policy documents for effective oversight

Former Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has emphasized the need for policy documents. He believes these documents should be submitted to Parliament urgently.

Without them, Parliament and the public cannot fully scrutinize or support key programs. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah spoke on JoyNews’ AM Show on May 29.

He stated that policy documents are essential for democratic governance. They provide technical details necessary for proper legislative supervision.

“These documents allow for accurate costing and appropriate funding,” he said. This enables Parliament to exercise effective oversight.

Policy documents also help civil society, media, and the public track government programs. They assess progress and evaluate effectiveness.

“It helps us avoid taking credit for external outcomes or shifting blame,” he added.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted this issue has been a concern since the current Parliament began. There have been repeated calls for policy documents with major government initiatives.

“Parliament is the pillar of democracy,” he said. “When you present these documents, you make the process transparent.”

He listed several government programs lacking corresponding policy documents:

1. The 24-Hour Economy Policy – expected by July 1.
2. The Economic Recovery Programme – yet to be delivered.
3. The Economic Transformation Agenda – still pending.
4. The Agricultural Transformation Programme – launched but undocumented.
5. The One Million Coders Programme – no clear framework published.
6. The Adwumawura Initiative – launched April 28 without documentation.
7. The National Apprenticeship Programme – also undocumented.

He expressed concerns about evaluating these initiatives without defined parameters or criteria.

“For example, how can journalists verify who qualified or benefited?” he asked.

Drawing from his experience in government, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah called the lack of documentation a persistent challenge in public administration.

“When a program launches without a clear framework, evaluation becomes difficult,” he explained.

He concluded by stressing the importance of timely document publication and welcomed news about the 24-Hour Economy Policy Document due by July 1.

"That’s why it's critical," he said, expressing hope that it will be released on time.