AN EXPLORATION OF POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN PROTECTED WATERSHED AREAS: CASE STUDY OF DIGYA NATIONAL PARK IN THE VOLTA LAKE MARGINS IN GHANA A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science Jesse S. Ayivor March 2007 This thesis entitled AN EXPLORATION OF POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN PROTECTED WATERSHED AREAS: CASE STUDY OF DIGYA NATIONAL PARK IN THE VOLTA LAKE MARGINS IN GHANA by JESSE S. AYIVOR has been approved for the Program of Environmental Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences by Nancy J. Manring Associate Professor of Political Science Benjamin M. Ogles Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Abstract AYIVOR, JESSE S., M.S., March 2007, Program of Environmental Studies AN EXPLORATION OF POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN PROTECTED WATERSHED AREAS: CASE STUDY OF DIGYA NATIONAL PARK IN THE VOLTA LAKE MARGINS IN GHANA (133 pp.) Director of Thesis: Nancy J. Manring The demise of vital ecosystems has necessitated the designation of protected areas and formulation of policies for their sustainable management. This study which evaluates policy implementation in Digya National Park in the Volta Basin of Ghana, was prompted by lack of information on how Ghana Forest and Wildlife policy, 1994, which regulates DNP, is being implemented amidst continues degradation of the Park. The methodology adopted involved interviews with government officials and analysis of institutional documents. The results revealed that financial constraints and encroachment are the main problems inhibiting the realization of the policy goals, resulting in a steady decrease in forest cover within the Park. The study recommends intervention measures including proactive government role in capacitating implementing agencies to function more effectively, more community participation and private sector partnership in the implementation process. The study concluded that successful policy implementation at DNP would above everything help ensure the sustainability of Volta Lake and its hydro- electric power plant. Approved: ______________________________________________________________ Nancy J. Manring Associate Professor of Political Science Dedication To my late mother Felicia Ama Ayivor Acknowledgment Sincere thanks to my academic advisor, Dr. Nancy J. Manring, Associate Professor of Political Science, Ohio University, whose useful suggestions and constructive criticisms guided the successful completion of this thesis. A note of appreciation to other members of my thesis committee namely: Dr. F. E. Bernard, Professor of Geography, Ohio University, Dr. Jeff Ueland, Assistant Professor of Geography, Ohio University, and Dr. Elizabeth Edna Wangui, Assistant Professor of Geography, Ohio University. Above all, I give thanks to the Almighty God who granted me the strength to complete this thesis. 6 Table of Content Page Abstract............................................................................................................................... 3 Dedication........................................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgment ................................................................................................................ 5 List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... 8 List of Figures..................................................................................................................... 9 List of Acronyms .............................................................................................................. 10 Chapter 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 11 1.1.0. Background......................................................................................................... 12 1.2.0. The Study Area ................................................................................................... 17 1.3.0. Problem Statement.............................................................................................. 24 1.4.0. Objectives ........................................................................................................... 27 1.5.0. Organization of Work ......................................................................................... 29 Chapter 2. Literature Review............................................................................................ 30 Chapter 3. Methodology .................................................................................................. 44 3.1.0. Research Design.................................................................................................. 44 3.2.0. Analytical Techniques ........................................................................................ 47 3.3.0. Problems ............................................................................................................. 48 Chapter 4. Regulatory Framework for Protected Areas in Ghana.................................... 52 4.1.0. The Political and Economic Context .................................................................. 52 4.2.0. Background of Protected Areas in Ghana........................................................... 56 4.3.0. Regulatory Framework in Protected Areas in Ghana ......................................... 58 4.3.1. International Conventions and National Regulations Concerned with Forest and Biodiversity Management in Ghana................................................................... 63 4.3.2. The Ghana Forest and Wildlife Policy............................................................ 67 4.3.3. National Water Policy of Ghana..................................................................... 69 4.4.0. Policy Implementation in Protected Areas (PA) of Ghana................................. 70 Chapter 5. Data Analysis .................................................................................................. 73 5.0.0. Policy Implementation in the Digya National Park ............................................ 73 5.1.0. A Brief Background and Importance of Digya National Park............................ 73 5.2.0. Policy Implementation Strategies ....................................................................... 78 5.2.1. Stakeholder Collaboration .............................................................................. 80 5.3.0. Problems of Policy Implementation.................................................................... 82 5.4.0. Illegal Encroachment and Forced Eviction of Squatters..................................... 91 5.5.0. Policy Evaluation................................................................................................ 95 5.6.0. Application of Policy Implementation Framework ............................................ 96 5.6.1. Material Variables........................................................................................... 96 5.6.2. Structural Variables ........................................................................................ 98 5.6.3. Contextual Variables..................................................................................... 101 Chapter 6. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations.............................................. 105 6.1.0. Summary and Conclusion................................................................................. 105 6.2.0. Recommendations............................................................................................. 108 6.2.1. Short-term Measures..................................................................................... 108 7 6.2.2. Long-term Measures ..................................................................................... 111 6.3.0. Limitations of Study and Further Research ...................................................... 113 References....................................................................................................................... 115 Appendix 1. Interview Guide for Officials of State Agencies/Departments .................. 126 Appendix 2. Interview Guide for NGOs......................................................................... 129 Appendix 3. Classified 1985 Landsat TM Image of Digya National Park..................... 130 Appendix 4. Classified 1991 Landsat TM Image of Digya National Park..................... 131 Appendix 5. Classified 2000 Landsat TM Image of Digya National Park..................... 132 Appendix 6. Digya, Kogyea and Bui National Parks ..................................................... 133 8 List of Tables Table Page 1.1 Protected Areas and Biodiversity in Ghana................................................................ 16 4.1 Wildlife Protected Areas in Ghana ............................................................................. 60 4.2 International Conventions Related to Biodiversity Ratified by Ghana ...................... 64 4.3 National Legislations with Relevance to Biodiversity Management in Ghana .......... 65 5.1 List of Logistics Required for Effective Management of DNP .................................. 84 5.2 Supervised Classification Result for the Area Covering Digya National Park .......... 88 9 List of Figures Figure Page 1. Map of the Volta Basin Showing Ghana and Neighboring Countries.......................... 18 2. The Digya National Park Study Area