The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) was established in 1994 in response to Agenda 21, the global action plan for sustainable development adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Its creation underscored Ghana’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability, scientific advancement, and technological innovation into national development.

Over the years, the Ministry has undergone several institutional reforms. The Technology portfolio was at one stage transferred to the Ministry of Communications, leading to the reconstitution of the Ministry as the Ministry of Environment and Science (MES). In 2006, MES was dissolved: the Science function was moved to the Ministry of Education, then renamed the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, while the Environment function was transferred to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

In January 2009, the Ministry was re-established in its present form by EI.7 Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2009, consolidating Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation under one coordinated policy framework to advance sustainable national development.

The Ministry is mandated by the 1992 Constitution and section 11 of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (PNDCL 327) as well as Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument 2021, Executive Instrument (E.I) 12 to initiate and formulate policies on Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans, programmes, and performance of the sector for national development.

Sustainable development of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for Ghana.

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation exists to promote sustainable environmental management and the adoption and application of science and technological innovations through the formulation of policies, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of sector plans, programmes, and projects for national development.

The Ministry upholds the following as its core values;

• Client Satisfaction: Provide reliable and timely services to our clients.
• Teamwork: By nurturing team spirit and collaboration, we create an enjoyable work environment aimed at achieving beneficial results.
• Professionalism: Act with integrity in providing effective, reliable, and quality services to clients
• Gender Equity: Represent and respect all people without discrimination, regardless of their gender, race, and background
• Integrity: Honest, trustworthy, fair, and transparent in the performance of our functions and in dealing with our clients

Section 13 of the Civil Service Act 1993, (PNDC Law 327) states the following: “A Ministry shall:

1. Initiate and formulate policies, taking into account the needs and aspirations of the people;
2. Undertake development planning in consultation with the National Development Planning Commission; and
3. Co-ordinate, monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of the Sector”

Specifically, the Ministry performs the following functions:

• Provides leadership and guidance for the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation sector of the economy through sound policy formulation and implementation;
• Ensures the establishment of regulatory framework and setting of standards to govern the activities of science and technology and the management of the environment for sustainable development;
• Promotes activities needed to underpin the standards and policies required for planning and implementation of sound scientific and technological development activities;
• Ensures the coordination, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of activities of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation while fulfilling national benefits- sharing commitments;
• Sets out the parameters required for programmes on environment, science, technology and human settlement in consultation with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in guiding the Districts Assemblies as planning authority at the local level;
• Coordinates all planned programmes as well as budgets in the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation sector of the economy for purposes of achieving a single integrated management system;
• Initiates, simulates and coordinates research including the continuous development and review of policies, laws, rules and regulations in the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation sector of the economy.
• Ensures effective environmental management and governance.