Making environmental management more responsive to local needs: Decentralisation and evidence-based policy in Ghana

Abstract

This paper reports on research in Ghana's Brong-Ahafo Region concerning the implications of democratic decentralization on management of the natural environment, particularly forest resources. It argues that, despite nominal decentralization, environmental policy remains largely unresponsive to rural interests. The paper considers the types of interventions which could enhance the flow of information between rural dwellers and policy makers, so as to strengthen local-level influence.