Management of natural resources in a conflicting environment in Ghana: unmasking a messy policy problem

Biodiversity and Development Co-operation

“…47. Strong governance, institutions and legal frameworks are crucial to ensure that the biodiversity-related intervention is implemented and has the intended impacts (Armah et al, 2013;Gardner et al, 2013;Manzoor Rashid et al, 2013;Sayer et al, 2013;Vaz and Agama, 2013;Sandker et al, 2012;Billé et al, 2012;UNDP, 2012;Roe et al, 2011;Roe, 2010a). Key elements in this respect include: clear, enforceable property rights and land tenure; clearly defined roles and responsibilities; combatting elite capture and corruption; building local customs into national legislation; and implementing robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms (see Box 7).…”

“…The importance of strong governance, institutions and legal frameworks Land tenure and property rights are important for determining who has the right to use what land and natural resources, and consequently who reaps the benefits from their use. The poor often have low social capital and a weaker voice in the political process (which are two of the multiple dimensions of poverty), and therefore are often the worst off in any land dispute or are unable to participate in processes determining land-related laws, resulting in a restriction in their access to and benefits from natural resources (OECD, 2013b;Armah et al, 2013;Roe, 2010a).…”

“…Additionally, when accountability mechanisms are not in place, corruption is likely to be higher. Once again, as the poor often have the weakest social capital and political voice, they are the most likely to lose from these conflicts and this corruption (Armah et al, 2013;Manzoor Rashid et al, 2013).…”

“…Weak governance and market failures are two fundamental challenges to achieving synergies between biodiversity and development outcomes. Weak governance is repeatedly identified as a key barrier in this respect (Sayer et al, 2013;Manzoor Rashid et al, 2013;Gardner et al, 2013;Vaz and Agama, 2013;Armah et al, 2013;Sandker et al, 2012;Billé et al, 2012;UNDP, 2012;Roe et al, 2011;Roe, 2010a). Governance challenges relate to ineffective or non-existent government institutions and rule of law, engendering other problems including a lack of clearly defined, secure and enforceable property rights/land tenure; a lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities and of accountability; and elite capture and corruption (see Box 6 in Section 3 on some of these governance challenges).…”

Unsafe Occupational Health Behaviors: Understanding Mercury-Related Environmental Health Risks to Artisanal Gold Miners in Ghana

“…Mining in Ghana has been characterized by divergent interests, cultures and institutions, lack of clarity over legal compensation and the distribution of benefits, conflict and a lack of trust between communities, industry and Government, as well as tensions between local communities and migrants (Armah et al, 2014). Moreover, large-scale mining operations often cause involuntary resettlement, resulting in loss of land, livelihoods and resources for local communities.…”