IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i12p6885-d577189.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Decentralization for Increased Sustainability in Natural Resource Management? Two Cautionary Cases from Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • James Natia Adam

    (Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
    Center for Regional Economic Development, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Timothy Adams

    (Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
    Center for Regional Economic Development, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Jean-David Gerber

    (Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
    Center for Regional Economic Development, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Tobias Haller

    (Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

In Sub-Saharan African countries, governments are increasingly devolving natural resource management from central administration to the local government level as a trend toward subsidiarity. In parallel, efforts to implement formalization processes have resulted in a puzzling institutional arena, wherein mixed actors are struggling to influence the paths of institutional change and the associated distribution of land and land-related resources. Relying on political ecology and new institutionalism in social anthropology, we investigate how the decentralization of formalization of rights in artisanal and small-scale gold mining can lead to paradoxical outcomes, often negatively impacting social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Two comparative case studies are performed in Ghana. Our results show that the negative effects of formalization efforts for resource end users are to be understood in the broad context of actors’ repositioning strategies following the selective implementation of decentralization. The authors conclude that increasing the power of the central government and line ministries to control local resources can influence the disenfranchisement of local people’s participation and control of natural resources, resulting in a relentless environmental crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • James Natia Adam & Timothy Adams & Jean-David Gerber & Tobias Haller, 2021. "Decentralization for Increased Sustainability in Natural Resource Management? Two Cautionary Cases from Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-23, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6885-:d:577189
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/12/6885/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/12/6885/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lara M. Lundsgaard-Hansen & Flurina Schneider & Julie G. Zaehringer & Christoph Oberlack & Win Myint & Peter Messerli, 2018. "Whose Agency Counts in Land Use Decision-Making in Myanmar? A Comparative Analysis of Three Cases in Tanintharyi Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-30, October.
    2. Silva, Emilson Caputo Delfino, 2014. "Selective decentralized leadership," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1-5.
    3. Luca Eufemia & Michelle Bonatti & Stefan Sieber & Barbara Schröter & Marcos A. Lana, 2020. "Mechanisms of Weak Governance in Grasslands and Wetlands of South America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Kristina Lanz & Jean‐David Gerber & Tobias Haller, 2018. "Land Grabbing, the State and Chiefs: The Politics of Extending Commercial Agriculture in Ghana," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 49(6), pages 1526-1552, November.
    5. Gerber, Jean-David & Knoepfel, Peter & Nahrath, Stéphane & Varone, Frédéric, 2009. "Institutional Resource Regimes: Towards sustainability through the combination of property-rights theory and policy analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(3), pages 798-809, January.
    6. Verbrugge, Boris, 2015. "Decentralization, Institutional Ambiguity, and Mineral Resource Conflict in Mindanao, Philippines," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 449-460.
    7. Andrew Wardell, D. & Lund, Christian, 2006. "Governing Access to Forests in Northern Ghana: Micro-Politics and the Rents of Non-Enforcement," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 1887-1906, November.
    8. Rosine Tchatchoua‐Djomo & Mathijs van Leeuwen & Gemma van der Haar, 2020. "Defusing Land Disputes? The Politics of Land Certification and Dispute Resolution in Burundi," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 51(6), pages 1454-1480, November.
    9. Arun Agrawal & Elinor Ostrom, 2001. "Collective Action, Property Rights, and Decentralization in Resource Use in India and Nepal," Politics & Society, , vol. 29(4), pages 485-514, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Izabela Jonek-Kowalska & Marian Turek, 2022. "The Economic Situation of Polish Cities in Post-Mining Regions. Long-Term Analysis on the Example of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Dong Li, 2024. "Sustainable Ecosystems and the Economics of State Ownership: A Three-Stage Structural Framework and Innovative Insights," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 11090-11127, September.
    3. James Natia Adam & Timothy Adams & Jean-David Gerber, 2021. "The Politics of Decentralization: Competition in Land Administration and Management in Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Rochgiyanti Rochgiyanti & Deasy Arisanty & Ismi Rajiani & Karunia Puji Hastuti & Jumriani Jumriani & Muhammad Muhaimin, 2024. "From Glimmer to Grind: Unveiling the Conflict Potential of South Kalimantan’s Diamonds," World, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-18, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. James Natia Adam & Timothy Adams & Jean-David Gerber, 2021. "The Politics of Decentralization: Competition in Land Administration and Management in Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Gustafsson, Maria-Therese & Scurrah, Martin, 2019. "Strengthening subnational institutions for sustainable development in resource-rich states: Decentralized land-use planning in Peru," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 133-144.
    3. Rahman, H.M. Tuihedur & Hickey, Gordon M. & Sarker, Swapan Kumar, 2012. "A framework for evaluating collective action and informal institutional dynamics under a resource management policy of decentralization," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 32-41.
    4. Christoph Oberlack & Markus Giger & Ward Anseeuw & Camilla Adelle & Magalie Bourblanc & Perrine Burnod & Sandra Eckert & Wegayehu Fitawek & Eve Fouilleux & Sheryl Hendriks & Boniface Kiteme & Livhuwan, 2021. "Why do large-scale agricultural investments induce different socio-economic, food security, and environmental impacts? Evidence from Kenya, Madagascar, and Mozambique," Post-Print hal-03419337, HAL.
    5. B Kelsey Jack, "undated". "Market Inefficiencies and the Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in Developing Countries," CID Working Papers 50, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    6. David Aubin & Frédéric Varone, 2013. "Getting Access to Water: Property Rights or Public Policy Strategies?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 31(1), pages 154-167, February.
    7. Pandit, Ram & Bevilacqua, Eddie, 2011. "Forest users and environmental impacts of community forestry in the hills of Nepal," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(5), pages 345-352, June.
    8. Tschakert, Petra, 2016. "Shifting Discourses of Vilification and the Taming of Unruly Mining Landscapes in Ghana," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 123-132.
    9. Kumar, Sushil & Kant, Shashi, 2005. "Bureaucracy and new management paradigms: modeling foresters' perceptions regarding community-based forest management in India," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 7(4), pages 651-669, May.
    10. Thierry Madiès & Emmanuelle Taugourdeau, 2020. "Vertical transfers and tax competition: does trade integration matter?," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 55(3), pages 453-475, October.
    11. Mark Lubell & Adam Douglas Henry & Mike McCoy, 2010. "Collaborative Institutions in an Ecology of Games," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(2), pages 287-300, April.
    12. Jon Unruh & Lisa Cligget & Rod Hay, 2005. "Migrant land rights reception and ‘clearing to claim’ in sub‐Saharan Africa: A deforestation example from southern Zambia," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 29(3), pages 190-198, August.
    13. Abdelkader, Mahmood & Sliuzas, Richard & Boerboom, Luc & Zevenbergen, Jaap, 2022. "The unintended consequences of Egypt's institutional land regime on unplanned settlement growth in the Nile Valley," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    14. Buchs, Arnaud & Calvo-Mendieta, Iratxe & Petit, Olivier & Roman, Philippe, 2021. "Challenging the ecological economics of water: Social and political perspectives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    15. Mengina Gilli & Muriel Côte & Gretchen Walters, 2020. "Gatekeeping Access: Shea Land Formalization and the Distribution of Market-Based Conservation Benefits in Ghana’s CREMA," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, September.
    16. Angelingis Makatta & Lupala ZJ & Faustin Maganga & Amos Majule, 2018. "Forest Governance at Village Level with Potential for REDD+ in Participatory Forest Management, Tanzania," International Journal of Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 8(2), pages 40-51, - January.
    17. Haslam, Paul Alexander, 2021. "The micro-politics of corporate responsibility: How companies shape protest in communities affected by mining," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    18. Upasna Sharma & Anna Scolobig & Anthony Patt, 2012. "The effects of decentralization on the production and use of risk assessment: insights from landslide management in India and Italy," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 64(2), pages 1357-1371, November.
    19. Nobuo Akai & Takahiro Watanabe, 2023. "Electoral outcomes and local public goods provision with ex post interregional transfer," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 30(6), pages 1633-1655, December.
    20. Elinor Ostrom & Harini Nagendra, 2007. "Tenure alone is not sufficient: monitoring is essential," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 8(3), pages 175-199, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6885-:d:577189. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.