The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) have initiated discussions on a research programme aimed at addressing persistent socio-economic inequalities in Northern Ghana.
The initiative seeks to generate evidence-based data and policy recommendations to tackle long-standing development disparities between Northern Ghana and the southern parts of the country.
Speaking during the engagement, Executive Director of ISODEC, Sam Salifu Danse, said the project would help bridge research gaps on regional disparities and provide policymakers with reliable information to guide development interventions.
He stressed that collaboration with the NDPC would be crucial in identifying the root causes of inequalities and ensuring that the findings influence national development planning and policy formulation.
Director-General of the NDPC, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, welcomed the proposal, describing it as “a step in the right direction” towards promoting evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development.
She noted that concerns over regional inequalities had featured prominently during the Commission’s recent stakeholder engagements across the country’s sixteen regions, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
Development consultant Dr Bishop Akolgo also called for a broader assessment of inequality, arguing that the issue extends beyond income disparities to include gender, ethnicity, social exclusion and other structural factors.
The proposed research programme is expected to examine challenges relating to poverty, access to healthcare, education, infrastructure and employment opportunities across the five northern regions.
Its findings are expected to support the design of targeted policies and interventions aimed at promoting inclusive growth and reducing regional disparities in Ghana.
