Former Deputy Upper East Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andrews Atariwini, has called for broad citizen participation in the PEARL Framework, arguing that public ownership is the only way to ensure the ambitious development agenda survives political transitions.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper with Gerard Awombadek Asagi, Mr. Atariwini said many of Ghana’s well-crafted development plans have failed to achieve their intended outcomes due to limited citizen involvement in both design and implementation.
The PEARL Framework, scheduled for launch on June 29, 2026, proposes a 10-year roadmap for economic transformation in the Upper East Region.
According to Mr. Atariwini, the framework’s lifespan suggests its architects intend it to outlive political administrations.
“The Mahama government will end in 2028. Another government will come, whether NDC or NPP. Even that government may leave office while this framework is still running. That tells you the framers envisaged continuity beyond political terms,” he said.
However, he stressed that continuity will not happen automatically.
He said traditional authorities, political parties, civil society organisations, students, professionals and ordinary citizens must all have a stake in the framework.
“If I have an input in it, even though I am NPP, if a CPP member has an input in it, if a chief has an input in it, if a student has an input in it, they become the protectors of that idea,” he stated.
Mr. Atariwini advocated what he described as “empowered participation” rather than token consultation.
“In development, participation should not be passive. The people themselves should help shape the ideas, determine how they are implemented and become the safeguards of the policy,” he explained.
He said citizen ownership of development initiatives strengthens accountability and ensures continuity regardless of political leadership.
“The people become the vanguards of making sure leadership remains accountable to the policy. When implementation begins, they will also be the ones to protect it,” he said.
For Mr. Atariwini, the future of the PEARL Framework will depend less on political leaders and more on citizens willing to defend and sustain it.
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