Rethinking water reform policies as a ‘wicked problem’ the case of urban water supply in Ghana

Suleiman, Lina; Khakee, Abdul

doi:10.1080/13563475.2017.1291333

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Of the wickedness themes identified in the present study, we found that the notion of dual wickedness (Suleiman & Khakee, 2017)-the importance of contextuality-resonated with both the literature we reviewed and approaches advocated by other scholars focusing on Africa. Moreover, it also highlighted an important aspect of wicked problems.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Here, the characteristics of wicked problems as derived from the literature are considered as a theory or a framework against which it is possible to analyze an issue or build new theories. Of the 13 articles utilizing the concept theoretically (Asamoah, 2020;Balint, 2007;Barry & Fourie, 2002;Booker, 2014;Davison et al, 2016;FitzGibbon & Mensah, 2012;Heimer, 2013;Ingram & Memon, 2019;Okeke-Ogbuafor et al, 2020;Onyango, 2009;Quigely et al, 2015;Woodford et al, 2016), we found that the article by Suleiman and Khakee (2017), discussed above, contributed most to the discussion on wicked problems by providing a strong perspective rooted in the African context.…”

Section: Concrete Manifestations Of Wicked Problemsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The problems faced by contemporary African societies are unquestionably different from the issues that gave rise to the concept of wicked problems 50 years ago in Western society (see Ritchey, 2013; Skaburskis, 2008). For example, infrastructure-related issues were presented as an example of tame problems by Rittel and Webber (1973, p. 156) but may in fact be wicked problems in an African context (Suleiman & Khakee, 2017). In this systematic review, we examine the literature on wicked problems in Africa .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wicked Problems in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

2021

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The theory of wicked problems, originating from Western academic discussion, has evolved since the 2000s toward a universal diagnostic of societal challenges. In this article, we employ a systematic literature review to investigate the application of the concept of wicked problems in studies focusing on the African context. Our aim is to understand the additional value and limitations of using the concept in a non-Western frame of reference. We conclude that the concept remains underutilized in studies concentrating on Africa; moreover, when it is used, it is mainly by academics of Western or Anglophone origin. Overall, the concept of wicked problems is mainly applied descriptively rather than theoretically. Based on the analysis of the themes and issues characterized as wicked, we elaborate toward a typology that takes account of the concrete “manifestations” (e.g., health issues such as AIDS/HIV and its treatment history) and “mechanisms” (e.g., historical path dependency) that condition the presence of wicked problems in the African context. The article contributes to the theory of wicked problems by developing a typology that distinguishes between interlinked and contextual problems (often characterized through the concept of “dual wickedness”), and proposes that problems can become exacerbated when the two dimensions are simultaneously present.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Concrete Manifestations Of Wicked Problemsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wicked Problems in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

2021

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“…The project used insights from multiple-scale, interdisciplinary work to improve the understanding of the barriers, enablers and limits to effective, sustained and widespread adaptation out to the 2030s. The semi-arid nature of the case study regions means that water scarcity and its governance are one of the critical challenges to climate change adaptation (Few et al 2015;Padgham et al 2015;Revi et al 2015;Spear et al 2015). After presenting the methods used to assess the cases, we focus on how subnational actors, including rural households, have engaged in water governance and have been impacted by decentralisation.…”

Section: Communicated By Diana Sietzmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical integration for climate change adaptation in the water sector: lessons from decentralisation in Africa and India

et al. 2019

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Vertical integration, which creates strategic linkages between national and sub-national levels, is being promoted as important for climate change adaptation. Decentralisation, which transfers authority and responsibility to lower levels of organisation, serves a similar purpose and has been in place for a number of decades. Based on four case studies in semi-arid regions in Africa and India, this paper argues that vertical integration for climate change adaptation should reflect on lessons from decentralisation related to governing natural resources, particularly in the water sector. The paper focuses on participation and flexibility, two central components of climate change adaptation, and considers how decentralisation has enhanced or undermined these. The findings suggest that vertical integration for adaptation will be strengthened if a number of lessons are considered, namely (i) actively seek equitable representation from marginal and diverse local groups drawing on both formal and informal participation structures, (ii) assess and address capacity deficits that undermine flexibility and adaptive responses, especially within lower levels of government, and (iii) use hybrid modes of governance that include government, intermediaries and diverse local actors through both formal and informal institutions to improve bottom-up engagement.

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“…examined the circumstances of that contract's termination, noting the private partners failed to meet almost every target. Several studies focus on factors contributing to the termination of that contract Hirvi and Whitfield, 2015;Rahaman et al, 2007Rahaman et al, , 2013; Suleiman and Khakee, 2017;. However, the literature stops at this point, providing no empirical insight into how urban water management in Ghana was able to recover and progress beyond that failure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress towards sustainable urban water management in Ghana

Egan

Agyemang

2019

SAMPJ

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Purpose In recent decades, governments in developing countries have experienced relentless pressure from key supranational finance providers (particularly the World Bank) to focus on the achievement of financial efficiency. This pressure persists despite evidence that basic institutions necessary for sustainable infrastructure and competitive commercial arrangements are often not present. This paper aims to examine the steering of urban water management in Ghana as it progressed through a first failed public-private partnership in this sector (from 2005 to 2011), and beyond to 2017. Throughout this 12-year period, the authors consider progress and barriers to the achievement of steering for sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach Publicly available documentation is examined through the lens of steering for sustainable development (Voß et al., 2007) to consider the challenges of urban water management between 2005 and 2017. Findings Progress towards a more sustainable approach to urban water management was achieved through greater democratic governance, public accountability and public engagement. This acted as a counter foil to power and affected improvements of knowledge and clarity of related goals. Effective sustainable management continued to be challenged, however, by on-going World Bank pressure to focus on financial efficiency. Practical implications The provision of a sustainable water supply continues to be a significant challenge for many developing countries, including Ghana. This study provides insights into how progress beyond crippling financial dependency might begin to be achieved. Social implications Safe and sustainable water supply is critical for both the health and economic progress of citizens in developing countries such as Ghana. This study provides insight into the value of drawing from a broad range of stakeholders in seeking viable pathways towards those goals. Originality/value While water management challenges for developing countries have been significantly researched, particularly in the context of private financing arrangements, little empirical insight is provided into how governments can move forward with sustainable progress beyond the failure of such arrangements. Water management in Ghana beyond 2011 provides that unique context.

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Rethinking water reform policies as a ‘wicked problem’ the case of urban water supply in Ghana

Cited by 12 publications

References 32 publications

Wicked Problems in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

Wicked Problems in Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

Vertical integration for climate change adaptation in the water sector: lessons from decentralisation in Africa and India

Progress towards sustainable urban water management in Ghana

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