The plan sets out the operationalization of the water sector policy objectives contained in the National Water Policy and the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA 2010-2013). It has a vision of sustainable water and basic sanitation for all by 2025″.”””

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 provisions 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 the powers of the Minister and places the authority for town and country planning on the Minister, instead of the 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 the 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.

This strategy provides a framework for the design and rollout of e-health in Ghana’s health sector. It highlights the challenges mitigating against the attainment of the set MDG goals. The strategy strives to solve Ghana’s country-specific problem of lack of resources to roll out interventions and poor funding of the health sector.

The Act gives the minister in charge powers to prohibit the importation of animals suspected of harbouring 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 Act establishes the Meat Marketing Board, with the functions to purchase and manage all logistics regarding the transport of meat consumed in the country, make financial arrangements and transactions, and see to the delivery of cattle to recognised butchers’ associations.

The Act establishes the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands and provides for the administration of Stool Lands. The office is responsible for the management of the stool land account and the funds contained therein.

The Act provides for the development of irrigation in Ghana. It establishes the Irrigation Development Authority to, among other things, see to the formulation of irrigation plans for development, develop water resources for irrigated farming, and to safeguard the health and environmental aesthetics of citizens living around irrigation sites.

The Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies is in fulfilment of Article 36 (5) of the Constitution of Ghana that emphasises that within two years after assuming office, the President shall present to Parliament a coordinated programme of economic and social development policies, including agricultural and industrial programmes at all levels and in all the regions of Ghana. The policies, themed “Agenda for Change” prioritises four key goals: Creating opportunities for all Ghanaians; Safeguarding the natural environment and ensuring a resilient built environment; Maintaining a stable, united and safe country; and Building a prosperous nation.

The policy seeks to provide direction and guidance for all stakeholders who are affected by or use antimicrobial agents. The policy arises in response to the global drive to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance. The policy is to serve as a rallying point for all coordinated activities directed at achieving the set goal.

The regulations contained therein aim to serve the following purposes: regulation of the terms and conditions for small and large scale timber rights, provision for a legality licensing scheme, regulation of identification of suitable lands, and regulation of alternative sources of timber.

The regulations contained therein are issued with respect to health and safety in (land) mining operations in Ghana. They also concern the protection of the environment and, in particular, prescribe technical and safety standards for mining operations and provide with respect to mining operation plans and mining operation permits.

The 1995 forest policy follows the 1948 policy. It pushes for an ecologically sound and sustainable development of a national forest estate and timber industry that ultimately preserves the cultural heritage of the country. The strategies for the management of forest reserves, protected areas and wildlife protected areas are (i) soil conservation, (ii) protection of water resources, (iii) biodiversity conservation, (iv) environmental protection and (v) sustainable use of natural resources.

The regulations make provisions for the appointment of the National Biosafety Committee as the national focal point on biosafety for purposes of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It defines the functions, powers and duties of the Committee.

The policies and strategies note the importance of the livestock sector in Ghana in terms of its contribution to the economy, food security, nutritional requirements, and source of income and livelihood of the resource-poor rural households. It seeks to address the dwindling productivity of the sector and the inability to meet national demand through targeted, efficient and effective sector-specific policies, plans, and strategies.

The policy serves to address land issues contributing to the degrading and drying up of rivers and streams. It hopes to tackle challenges with preservation and conservation of Ghana’s water resources. The buffer policy harmonises all disjointed regulations in the country in relation to buffers bordering water bodies or river systems.