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The Gap between Theory and Practice of Stakeholder Participation : The Case of Management of The Korle Lagoon, Ghana

Armah, Frederick Ato ; Yawson, David Oscar and Alkan Olsson, Johanna LU (2009) In LEAD Journal 5(1). p.73-89
Abstract
Participation of stakeholders at the local level is evolving as a mechanism to address complex environmental problems, not least water pollution. Participation has been used as a tool for the economic and social empowerment of settlements within the catchment of the Korle lagoon in Ghana, particularly residents of the Old Fadama community that live in proximity to the lagoon. Using direct observations and survey of stakeholder groups, the paper examines the structure and process of participation of stakeholders in Korle lagoon resource use and water policy formulation and implementation with regard to Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP). The results show that exclusion of stakeholders generates conflict and antagonism which... (More)
Participation of stakeholders at the local level is evolving as a mechanism to address complex environmental problems, not least water pollution. Participation has been used as a tool for the economic and social empowerment of settlements within the catchment of the Korle lagoon in Ghana, particularly residents of the Old Fadama community that live in proximity to the lagoon. Using direct observations and survey of stakeholder groups, the paper examines the structure and process of participation of stakeholders in Korle lagoon resource use and water policy formulation and implementation with regard to Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP). The results show that exclusion of stakeholders generates conflict and antagonism which hinders the implementation of water resource policy. Alliances of stakeholders in the participatory process have served as pressure points compelling government to negotiate with civil society on behalf of the community. In theory, participation holds promise to address conflict, however in practice, a number of factors that feed into conflict characterise the process of participation in this case, such as ineffective information flow in the community, agency-structure dynamics, historical antecedents among the ethnic groups and low-levels of communication. These gaps jointly undermine the full participation of the Old Fadama community in lagoon management. (Less)
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type
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publication status
published
subject
in
LEAD Journal
volume
5
issue
1
pages
73 - 89
publisher
University of London
ISSN
1746-5893
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
56bf45f9-2430-4b02-930b-b310c4600d49
alternative location
http://lead-journal.org/content/09073.pdf
date added to LUP
2017-10-18 15:00:46
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:35:23
@article{56bf45f9-2430-4b02-930b-b310c4600d49,
  abstract     = {{Participation of stakeholders at the local level is evolving as a mechanism to address complex environmental problems, not least water pollution. Participation has been used as a tool for the economic and social empowerment of settlements within the catchment of the Korle lagoon in Ghana, particularly residents of the Old Fadama community that live in proximity to the lagoon. Using direct observations and survey of stakeholder groups, the paper examines the structure and process of participation of stakeholders in Korle lagoon resource use and water policy formulation and implementation with regard to Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP). The results show that exclusion of stakeholders generates conflict and antagonism which hinders the implementation of water resource policy. Alliances of stakeholders in the participatory process have served as pressure points compelling government to negotiate with civil society on behalf of the community. In theory, participation holds promise to address conflict, however in practice, a number of factors that feed into conflict characterise the process of participation in this case, such as ineffective information flow in the community, agency-structure dynamics, historical antecedents among the ethnic groups and low-levels of communication. These gaps jointly undermine the full participation of the Old Fadama community in lagoon management.}},
  author       = {{Armah, Frederick Ato and Yawson, David Oscar and Alkan Olsson, Johanna}},
  issn         = {{1746-5893}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{73--89}},
  publisher    = {{University of London}},
  series       = {{LEAD Journal}},
  title        = {{The Gap between Theory and Practice of Stakeholder Participation : The Case of Management of The Korle Lagoon, Ghana}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/33461928/The_gap_between_theory_and_practice_of_stakeholder_participation.pdf}},
  volume       = {{5}},
  year         = {{2009}},
}