Institutional Dynamics for Managing the Lower Ankobra River Basin in the Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

Dynamic management systems for equitable distribution of drainage basin resources for local communities have become necessary because of the failure of early discriminatory institutional approaches that were used by countries all over the world. Hence, the need to improve the capacities, and strengthen the functional networks among management institutions such as those responsible for river basins in developing countries such as Ghana has become more critical considering the fast rate of degradation of the river basins. The main objective of the study was to examine the institutional dynamics for managing the resources of the Lower Ankobra River Basin in the Western Region of Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive research design. Using in-depth and semi-structured interview guides, data was solicited from 268 respondents who played several roles in the conservation of the basin’s However, at the first-line or lower level of management, there were challenges relating to financial, technical and legal capacities, and functional networks among the institutions. The major consequences of such challenges were the fast depletion, and the limited opportunities available for the local users of the basin. The study recommends to government of Ghana to set up a single institution with several departments that should work with the principles of equity, accountability and efficiency that have been prescribed by the egalitarian society to equitably share, and conserve, the resources in the Lower Ankobra Basin for its users.