SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT need to take positive measures to slow it down or, conversely, to accelerate it. Indeed, there may be different approaches to the issues in different parts of Ghana. 46. Most stakeholders are concerned about the small size of the formal sector. They all feel that, for a variety of reasons, it would be good to formalise the informal sector. This appears to be an aspect of socio-economic development that could have a direct impact on economic development and poverty reduction. Stakeholders have urged the authorities to consider direct intervention for achieving desired results. Civil society and the private sector indicated that they might have some valuable ideas to offer, but these were not forthcoming at workshops and technical meetings during the CRM. 47. From a socio-economic welfare perspective, there is a need to reduce informality in economic relations in the economy as a whole. It is not self-evident what policies should be put in place, and what the role of direct intervention of the government should be visà-vis merely enabling spontaneous order to function well. In the latter case, government activities would include education, allowing adequate freedom of contract, and efficiently enforcing laws and contracts. Civil society and business persons could also be active as agents in this process. iii. Recommendations 48. The Panel recommends that Ghana: ? ? ? ? ? Modify or reorient the current pre-eminently state-driven approach towards socio-economic development, applying a much more conscious determination to generate and mobilise internal capital through savings and investment. Achieve such targets by encouraging the active participation of the organised and unorganised private sector (including the informal sector), individual entrepreneurs and self-help community organisations in the provision of social and physical infrastructure and in human resource development in the country. Sustain the momentum to achieve all the MDGs, paying attention to the specific problem areas identified. The MDGs are critical to Ghana's own agenda for growth and prosperity. Consider the urgency of gathering good data and statistics, which are important for understanding problems and tracking performance in many areas of socioeconomic governance and development. In light of the above, make a concerted effort to re-energise and reform the Ghana Statistical Services. 127