Summary of the Socio-Economic Development Objectives and Priorities of Ghana Ghana through the formulation of a number of socio-economic development policy frameworks over the years has identified a number of key developmental objectives to address the developmental problems facing the country. Of these policy frameworks, the key ones are Vision 2020 Socio-Economic Development Framework, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (2000-2004), the Ghana Science and Technology Policy and the Co-ordinated Programme for Economic and Social Development of Ghana (2003-2012). The key socio-economic development objectives of Ghana as identified in these policy frameworks are: • To achieve a sustainable development and a population size that is compatible with the provisions of an adequate standard of living for all. And to ensure a population in which all citizens are at least functionally literate and productive. • To promote the establishment of an open and liberal market economy founded on competition and private enterprise, initiative and creativity that optimizes the rate of economic development and ensures the maximum welfare and material well-being of all Ghanaians. • To transform Ghana’s economy from being dominated by the public sector to one that benefits the enterprise and dynamics of the private sector, supported by an efficient system of administration. • To transform the economy from one based on smallholder agriculture to a purposefully diversified and productive economy which is capable of adjusting effectively to changes in the world economy • To develop an agro-based industry and strengthen the development, application and transfer of agro-based technologies, both soft and hard, to support sustainable agriculture production. • To modernize agriculture to encourage rural development and promote the establishment of a robust and diversified agricultural sector that ensures national food security and an adequate supply of raw materials at competitive prices for industrial production. And to ensure effective and efficient export diversification by making the agricultural sector more price-competitive and export-oriented. • To develop and promote the country’s competitive advantage as a trade and investment gateway to West Africa sub-region. • To promote the attainment of an efficient, diversified, technologically-progressive and marketdriven industrial sector that is capable of sustainable growth. • To increase the national capacity for industrial production and promote science and technology activities that enhances industrial productivity. • To encourage private sector development by promoting an enabling environment, including a conducive legal and social framework, for private sector investments in industry. • To strengthen the private sector in an active way to ensure that it is capable of acting effectively as the engine of growth and poverty reduction 19