The policy leverages on inputs from a wide range of national and international stakeholders in defining the path of the government towards ensuring equitable access to quality education for all in Ghana, without discrimination or exclusion of any form.

This installment of the ESP is based on three objectives: “improved equitable access to and participation in inclusive education at all levels, improved quality of teaching and learning and STEM at all levels, and sustainable and efficient management, financing and accountability of education service delivery”. Along with the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2021, the ESP charts the long term path and aspirations for the education sector.

The National Gender Policy is themed; “Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Women‘s Empowerment into Ghana‘s Development Efforts”. The five commitments upon which the goals of the policy is premised include: facilitating women empowerment and livelihoods, equitable rights and access to justice, women leadership and inclusion in accountable governance, economic opportunities, and gender roles and relations.

The plan seeks to achieve the goals of raising productivity levels by tackling the key challenges mitigating against this goal through provision of effective support services in: irrigation, mechanization, fertilizer and agrochemicals, storage and rural infrastructure such as roads, energy, markets and institutions.

The act establishes the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, defining its functions and powers. The act also makes provisons guiding the administration of the Authority and rules related to pilotage and matters of navigation of ships. It stipulates that the Authority shall “plan, build, develop, manage, maintain, operate and control ports, provide port facilities and regulate the use of a port and of the port facilities”.

The act provides for the development of land, towns and other areas. It sets out powers of the Minister and places the authority for town and country planning on the Minister, instead of Town and Country Planning Board. The act gives the Minister powers to appoint a planning committee for a declared planning area and establish a scheme for that area in accordance with provisions of this Act. The Minister is also given the freedom to delegate any of his/her functions for smooth running of operations.

The act sees to the establishment of the Scientific and Industrial Research Council. Its core functions include: taking charge of implementing government policies and plans on scientific research and development, advisory services on scientific advancements important to the country, and coordinating all scientific research in the country, for efficient use of resources.

The act gives the minister in charge powers to prohibit the importation of animals suspected to harbor diseases into the country. It also contains sections addressing: seizure of unlawfully imported animals, slaughtering, carcass disposal, indemnity and compensation, and associated fees.

The guidelines push to complement the Fisheries Act of 2002 and the Fisheries Regulations of 2010 in curbing overexploitation of fish resources. The guidelines are important for all fishing stakeholders for information on registration and licensing of fishing vessels.

The fisheries sector is one of the key pillars of the Ghanaian economy, owing to its importance as a source of livelihood, contributions to the economy, and nutritional benefits accruable. Research has however shown a decline in fish resources due to weak implementation of the laws and regulations guiding management of fish resources. The national policy thus seeks to, among other things, ensure strict implementation of fishery laws and regulations, prevent overexploitation, protect biodiversity and marine habitats, and strengthening value addition.

The regulations set out to check and combat international trade (import and export) of illegal timber products in and out of Ghana and illegal logging operations.

The act provides for the regulation of import and export of seeds, as a means to prevent and control pests and plant diseases.

The National Action Programme explores avenues of halting desertification in Ghana. It places a premium on integration of plans, institutions, and stakeholders, in the form of a community of practice, to deepen and sustain interventions.

The biodiversity of Ghanaian forests is threatened by pressures related to human activities and natural phenomenons. This reduces the impact of forests on the country’s socio-economic development and environmental maintenance. The development master plan seeks to manage Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources sustainably, promote forest-based industries, and promote technology and research driven management efforts, among others.

The development policy and strategy for the livestock sector follows from the 2004-2015 Livestock Development Policies and Strategies. It seeks to address the implementation challenges faced by the previous policy as a means to facilitate rapid growth and development of the sector.

The NSPS represents the government’s vision for an inclusive society with sustainable mechanisms for combatting exclusion, poverty, and vulnerabilities. It moves to drive the attainment of its goals by leveraging on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Social Grants scheme that will provide target groups with a reliable and cost-effective cash transfer to support their basic human needs.

The act establishes the National Disaster Management Organization with the function to manage disaster areas and emergency situations, as well as rehabilitation of persons affected. It is also responsible for developing disaster management plans to effectively mitigate consequences of disasters.

The 20 year development master plan pushes to: “drive cooperation, coordination, coherence and synergy in forestry-related issues at all levels; promote good governance through accountability and transparency; modernize forest enterprises as a means of job creation for the rural and urban poor; promote timber plantation development; ensure biodiversity conservation and ecotourism development; and pursue sustainable financing of forestry sector activities”.

The act makes provisions for settlement of disputes via arbitration, mediation and customary arbitration. The act also establishes an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre. “The Act applies to matters other than those that relate to the national or public interest, the environment, the enforcement and interpretation of the Constitution, or any other matter that by law cannot be settled by an alternative dispute resolution method.”

The regulations center around water drilling licences, application procedures, fees, duration, and prohibitions. It also addresses intricacies of well construction, as well as offences and miscellaneous matters.