Oppong Nkrumah Demands 7 Key Policy Documents For Effective Parliamentary Oversight
Former Minister for Works and Housing and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on the government to urgently submit critical policy documents to Parliament, stressing their importance for effective oversight, transparency, and public accountability.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, May 29, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah underscored that without these documents, neither Parliament nor the general public can meaningfully scrutinise, cost, or support the implementation of key national programmes.
“Policy and programme documents are fundamental to democratic governance,” he said. “They provide the technical details needed for proper legislative oversight, accurate costing, and appropriate budgetary support.”
He noted that the absence of these documents undermines Parliament’s ability to hold the executive accountable and limits public engagement in national development initiatives.
“Beyond Parliament, policy documents allow civil society, the media, and the public to monitor implementation, track progress, and assess the effectiveness of government programmes. It prevents undue credit for externally-driven outcomes and avoids misplaced blame when plans falter,” he added.
Oppong Nkrumah expressed concern that this has been a recurring issue throughout the tenure of the current Parliament. Despite repeated calls, many major government initiatives continue to be rolled out without the necessary supporting documentation.
“Parliament is the pillar of our democracy. Submitting these documents promotes transparency and enables both Parliament and the public to follow, assess, and even contribute to the success of government initiatives,” he emphasized.
He cited seven government programmes for which official policy documents remain unavailable:
- 24-Hour Economy Policy – Document expected by 1st July 2025
- Economic Recovery Programme – Yet to be submitted
- Economic Transformation Agenda – Still pending
- Agricultural Transformation Programme – Launched, but lacking documentation
- One Million Coders Programme – No published framework
- Adwumawura Initiative – Launched on April 28, but without a public document
- National Apprenticeship Programme – Still undocumented
He stressed that the lack of clearly defined parameters, eligibility criteria, and performance indicators makes it difficult for stakeholders—including journalists—to evaluate the impact of these initiatives.
“For instance, how do journalists verify who has qualified or determine how many people have benefited without access to the policy documents?” he questioned.
Drawing from his experience in government, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah identified the absence of comprehensive documentation as one of the most persistent challenges in public administration.
“When you launch a programme without a defined policy framework, it becomes nearly impossible—both inside and outside government—to measure its success or contribute meaningfully to its implementation,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating the critical importance of timely and transparent documentation, expressing optimism over the expected release of the 24-Hour Economy Policy document.
“That’s why this is so important. We’re encouraged that by July 1st, the 24-Hour Economy document will be out,” he noted.
