The evolution of science, technology and innovation policies: A review of the Ghanaian experience

• The study examines the historical evolution of science, technology and innovation policy in Ghana.
• The study identified three key stages in the evolution of STI policy.
• The study highlights the convergence and divergence of science policy and industry policy from 1957 to 2012.
• The study outlines the implications for public policy formulation.

Although there have been considerable past accomplishments in science, technology and innovation policy literature, our understanding of the evolution of government policies in these areas as a country transitions from one political regime to another, remains limited. This paper examines the issue within the context of Ghana, an emerging economy in sub-Saharan Africa, from 1957 to 2012. After a historical review of such government policies, we uncovered three key stages in the evolution of science and technology policy. These include the adoption of the “science for development” strategy and convergence of science and industrial policy from 1957 to 1966. This was then followed by the divergence of science policy and industrial policy from 1967 to the 1990s following the overthrow of Nkrumah's government. The emergence of the “new dawn” from the 2000s onwards ushered in a new policy framework for national science and technology policy geared towards economic development. The study outlines a range of public policy implications.