COLLABORATION IN CUSTOMARY LAND GOVERNANACE IN THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA: MOTIVATIONS, PROCESSES AND SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

This study explored the motivations, processes, sustainability factors and challenges involved in the establishment and operations of Land Management Committees (LMCs) within the framework of collaborative governance in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Using an exploratory multiple case study research design with purposive sampling technique, the study interviewed 28 key informants and conducted four Focus Group Discussions. The data were analyzed thematically. The study found the motivations for the formation of the LMCs to include among others resolving incidence of land disputes, obtaining the benefits of increasing land values and favorable government policy. Also, the study showed that the process involved in the formation of the LMCs was bottom-up with the president of the Traditional Council in each study community playing an instrumental role. The study identified the factors responsible for the sustainability of the LMCs to include among others token payment for activities of the LMCs, public education and government support. The study revealed among others lack of cooperation from some landowning family heads, inadequate finance and combining private work with LMC activities as the key factors affecting the performance of the LMCs. The study concludes that families and other stakeholders joined the LMCs due to their inability to individually deal with the challenges of the land governance and desire to benefit from the group. It further concludes that it is significant not just to reconcile private and collective interests and forge mutually beneficial relationships but also to create mutually supportive incentives for different stakeholders taken into consideration the challenges of collaboration in customary land governance. The study also concludes that the support of the government through regular workshops and the provision of office equipment aided the sustainability of the LMCs. The study therefore recommends that areas without Customary Land Secretariat (CLS) must be educated by the OASL to understand that they cannot deal with the challenge of land governance alone hence the need for them to come together to form the LMC and establish the CLS. Also, the OASL should insist on diversity in the composition of the LMCs and establish a fund to reward LMCs that have been able to sustain their CLS. Moreover, the OASL should organize more workshops for LMC members to help sustain their interest in the activities of the LMCs.