CHAPTER 5 Markets 64. Adequate and well-functioning goods markets, 911 in all, are a feature of the Ghanaian environment. Yet, access to such markets, especially in the rural areas, is hampered by an inadequate road network and poor conditions of feeder roads. Most of the markets are small and undeveloped, without paved floors or well-constructed stalls, or even organised warehousing facilities with offices for revenue collectors. Furthermore, the markets lack information centres and fire-fighting equipment. The government and certain NGOs are making efforts to ensure that every market has good infrastructure facilities, such as warehouses and toilets. 65. The government has identified information and communications technology (ICT) as a driver and means for achieving the objectives of the GPRS. The government strategy is to encourage ICT growth through private competition and local entrepreneurship. The National Communication Authority is the regulator of communications by wire, cable, radio, television, satellite and similar technology. It is mandated to see to the orderly development and operation of communication services in Ghana. 66. A substantial number of survey respondents in the CSAR have commended the government on its efforts to promote science and technology. However, close to half of them feel that the government is providing inadequate funding in this regard. ii. Findings of the CRM 67. As regards access to essential and basic services under this objective, the general feeling of the stakeholders was that the government understands the nature of the problems, both with respect to the nation as a whole and as they relate to equity (regional, rural-urban, gender). What is needed is for the authorities to have clear plans of action for each service, involving targets and objectives, policies and measures for achieving them, and a feasible time-frame. Experience has shown that the major challenges are those of implementation. Lack of appropriate consultation with stakeholders also affected the quality of the programme design but, in general, failures in implementation seem more likely than failures having to do with design. 68. The stakeholders agreed that implementation problems are often related to capacity constraints or inadequate ownership, yet the most important factor is the lack of 132