Intergovernmental and intersectoral tensions in environmental policy implementation : the case of Ghana's environmental action plan (GEAP)

Abstract

"INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND INTERSECTORAL TENSIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: THE CASE OF GHANA'S ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN (EAP)". The thesis examines the prospects and problems of implementing environmental policy in a Third World context (the case of Ghana). To be able to achieve the target set, the work was organised into six main chapters. Chapter one constitutes the background to the study, the statement of the problem and the delineation of the independent variables which will explain our dependent variable. Chapter two, takes for itself the theoretical aspects of our research. It locates the study into a theoretical perspective that guided the study. The theoretical framework for the study was based upon the twin concepts of Top-Down and Bottom-Up. A conceptual model is developed to explain our dependent variable - the implementation process of the EAP. In Chapter three, a historical evolution of environmental protection and management in the country is traced, highlighting the Traditional Ghanaian philosophy of man and his relationship to his environment and how colonialism and the advent of a money economy came to destroy this philosophy. The Chapter serve to provide building blocks on which to structure our environmental policy and programmes. In Chapter Four, the Policy- the Environmental Action Plan, (the EAP), which implementation is the theme of this essay is discussed. Chapter five constitute the analytic chapter. It is divided into two parts: Part I and Part II. In Part I, we described and analyzed the resources at the disposal of the EPC, the principal actor in the implementation process. Chapter five Part II, take for itself, a discussion of the Actors, the Tensions and the implementation process. The fina] chapter, is the discussion and summary Chapter. Here, the capability of the Implementing actors is examined in the light of our theoretical framework and the empirical findings. The document, (the EAP) was first examined in chapter four to determine the type of reformed planned. We argued further that executing the policy can be effected both from the Top and Down, through the three levels of governments and the bureaucrats at the various sector ministries involved with the management and protection of the environment in country, and from the bottom and up by peoples whose activities pollute the environment as well as those whose environment is polluted. A set of interrelated theory-based tentative hypothses is developed and explored empirically among the principal actors in the implementation process. The findings indicate that to a large extent, the implementation or non implementation of the policy will be determined by three major factors or variables: the nature and location of multi-actor tensions/conflicts at the policy implementation phase, the capacity, both in terms of legal mandate and logistics of the implementing actors, and the general level of environmental counciousness/considerations in the entire body politic of Ghana. Theoretical and actors roles in the policy implementation process are highlighed.