Dept. of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies Interactive governance theory for conflict analysis in Ghana s high forest zone a holistic approach? Mirjam A.F. Ros-Tonen and Mercy Derkyi First African IUFRO-FORNESSA regional congress Nairobi, Kenya, 25-30 June, 2012
Objective of this paper To explore how the interactive governance approach can be used to assess the governability of conflicts over forest and tree resources in Ghana s high forest zone Type the footer here 2
Forest governance The process of designing, implementing and overseeing policies, laws and regulations relating to the allocation, use and trade of forest resources (Macqueen & Bila, 2004; Ros-Tonen & Kusters, 2010). Type the footer here 3
Interactive governance The whole of public as well as private interactions taken to solve societal problems and create societal opportunities. It includes the formulation of and application of principles guiding those interactions and care for institutions that enable them (Kooiman & Bavinck, 2005: 17). Type the footer here 4
The interactive governance model Source: Chuenpagdee et al. 2008:3. Type the footer here 5
The system-to-be-governed natural system: Ghana s high forest zone (ecosystem + natural resources) Type the footer here 6
The system-to-be-governed human system: Forest users & stakeholders: Timber operators (TUC holders) Chainsaw millers Farmers Hunters NTFP collectors (subsistence, trade) Herders Competition for timber, NTFPs and farming land Type the footer here 7
The governing system (Source: Derkyi 2012) Transnational governing structures and their influence Arena of national governing structure Formal/ statutory governing structure Traditional/ customary governing structure Hybrid governing structure Market (industry) governing structure Civil society governing structure = Interactions between national and transnational governing structures Type the footer here 8 = Actors from two or more governing structures to constitute the hybrid governing structure
Governance regimes in Ghana s high forest zone (Source: Kotey et al. 2008) Unknown 16% Offreserve area 77% Forest reserve 23% Reforestation 8% Convalesence 7,4% Permanently protected 22% Timber production 47% Type the footer here 9
GI: Implications for the natural system Apedwa forest reserve Pamu Berekum forest reserve Tano-Offin forest reserve (plantation regime) Off-reserve forest area Type the footer here 10
GI: Implications for the human system Loss of access and use rights for local population groups No adequate compensation Conflicts
Livelihood conflicts in Tano-Offin GSBA issues, actors and scale (Source: Derkyi 2012) DIVERSITY COMPLEXITY DYNAMICS SCALE Type the footer here 13
Suggestions for further research The dynamics of interactions - framing of conflicts & relative power positions - negotiating access - institutional dynamics - changing actor constellations - conflict dynamics Type the footer here 14
In further research The dynamics of interactions - framing of conlficts & relative power positions ( discourses )* - negotiating access - institutional dynamics ( rules of the game )* - changing actor constellations ( policy coalitions )* - conflict dynamics Policy arrangements approach (Tatenhove 2000; Arts 2004; Arts and Tatenhove 2005)? Type the footer here 15
Conclusions The IG approach is useful to understand the context of conflicts before interventions are defined It also helps analysing the natural and human system in an integrated manner However, an analysis which applies the IG approach remains descriptive In order to understand the dynamics of interactions more indepth analysis is needed of the framing of conflicts, the underlying discourses and power imbalances, and of the negotiation and mediation processes Complement with the policy arrangements approach by Arts et al.? Type the footer here 16
Thank you!! Type the footer here 17