Report on the Implementation of the Investment Policy Review of Ghana
In 2010, UNCTAD conducted a review to assess the extent to which the IPR and blue book recommendations had been implemented. The Implementation Report showed that the political commitment to improve the business environment is reflected in its policies and programmes for reforms. Under two umbrella programmes, namely, the Private Sector Development Strategy for the period 2004 to 2008 and the Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP) for the five-year period 2006 to 2010, cross-cutting issues that impact trade and investment are comprehensively addressed. In addition, the Gateway Project and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Project, including numerous cuts in corporate tax since 2003 to stimulate private sector growth and boost investment into Ghana, have all given impetus to private sector development.
However, while overall policies are generally well conceived, their implementation is not always consistent. Planned reforms are often delayed or curtailed and sometimes even derailed, as in the case of the draft bill on Competition and Fair Trade Practices developed in 1992 with the assistance of UNCTAD. Thus, despite on-going efforts in addressing improvements to the investment environment, investors continue to encounter obstacles.
Other reports: Investment Policy Review of Ghana, Blue Book on Best Practice in Investment Promotion and Facilitation - Ghana