Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Equity in Community-based Water Resource Management in Northern Ghana: Between Development Discourse and Local Perceptions

Rakstyte, Juste LU (2010) MIDM70 20101
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study aimed at understanding perceptions of local water users concerning equitable management of small multipurpose reservoirs in Northern Ghana. Furthermore, its aim was to compare these perceptions with the concept of equitable management promoted by development projects, which stress creation of new institutions – Water User Associations (WUA) – for the equitable management to be achieved. Political and economic aspects of equity were looked at. Case study designed was adopted and data collection conducting focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews was undertaken in two communities. In addition, secondary data was also used in order to contextualize the findings. The results showed that current management was seen as... (More)
This study aimed at understanding perceptions of local water users concerning equitable management of small multipurpose reservoirs in Northern Ghana. Furthermore, its aim was to compare these perceptions with the concept of equitable management promoted by development projects, which stress creation of new institutions – Water User Associations (WUA) – for the equitable management to be achieved. Political and economic aspects of equity were looked at. Case study designed was adopted and data collection conducting focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews was undertaken in two communities. In addition, secondary data was also used in order to contextualize the findings. The results showed that current management was seen as highly equitable. Local users valued WUA as an important institution to achieve equity concerning irrigation. However, other uses were regulated by customary law and there was no need seen for formal regulations and user committees. Management of reservoirs was characterized by multiple actors involved in it and high degree of informality. Trust, reciprocity and flexibility rather then sanctions and strict application of rules were the guiding principles for the management. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rakstyte, Juste LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM70 20101
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Water User Association, community-based water management, equity, small reservoirs, Northern Ghana
language
English
id
1607364
date added to LUP
2010-11-09 14:46:09
date last changed
2011-01-21 13:52:15
@misc{1607364,
  abstract     = {{This study aimed at understanding perceptions of local water users concerning equitable management of small multipurpose reservoirs in Northern Ghana. Furthermore, its aim was to compare these perceptions with the concept of equitable management promoted by development projects, which stress creation of new institutions – Water User Associations (WUA) – for the equitable management to be achieved. Political and economic aspects of equity were looked at. Case study designed was adopted and data collection conducting focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews was undertaken in two communities. In addition, secondary data was also used in order to contextualize the findings. The results showed that current management was seen as highly equitable. Local users valued WUA as an important institution to achieve equity concerning irrigation. However, other uses were regulated by customary law and there was no need seen for formal regulations and user committees. Management of reservoirs was characterized by multiple actors involved in it and high degree of informality. Trust, reciprocity and flexibility rather then sanctions and strict application of rules were the guiding principles for the management.}},
  author       = {{Rakstyte, Juste}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Equity in Community-based Water Resource Management in Northern Ghana: Between Development Discourse and Local Perceptions}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}