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2.1.2 Assessment of LegalInstitutional Options for a Nested Coastal Governance System
Ghana’s present local governancedecentralization system has been evolving since 1988. The process has been changing over time with changing mandates, objectives and expectations. In
Year II, the Hɛn Mpoano Initiative sought to identify options to be pursued to strengthen and clarify authority and responsibility for land use and fisheries management at the community,
district and regional scales. A preliminary assessment of the powers of the district assemblies in current decentralization and governance dispensation in Ghana was completed. Some findings of
the study are presented in Box 4 below.
2.1.3 Fisheries Working Group for the Western Region
Realizing some constraints to effective fisheries management in Ghana, the Initiative received permission of the Fisheries Commission to pilot a Fisheries Working Group FWG in the
Western Region aimed at addressing identified gaps in fisheries management. The identified constraints included:
low level of communications between community level efforts in fisheries, the district
assemblies and the fisheries authorities and
weak consultation among stakeholders resulting in poor and frequently ineffective enforcement of rules and regulations.
Box 4: Assessment of Options for a Nested Coastal Governance System Some findings
The Districts have the mandate to engage in meaningful land use planning and regulation and have the authority to designate
and approve “special area management zones” with defined construction setbacks.
They can allocate areas for different uses, and within the restrictions of a limited budget can assume responsibility for the implementation of plans to provide and maintain such public
goodservices as potable water supply, sanitation and basic transportation infrastructure. Regional government could provide oversight control and coordination to ensure coherence
across district level planning and decision-making. However, the authority to set standards for coastal planning and management by the districts is at the national level.
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The Fisheries Working Group was created to address fisheries issues in the Western Region and advice the Regional Directorate of Fisheries. It is constituted by leaders of the various fishing
fleets, representatives of other fisheries interests and law enforcement agencies. The working group was officially inaugurated by the Chairman of Fisheries Commission with the support of
the hierarchy of the Commission staff from Accra. It now serves as a model for the other regions.
Figure 4:
Members of the Fisheries Working Group at the Inauguration Since its creation, the FWG has been involved in grassroots communication, explaining
important fisheries issues to fisher folk, resolving conflicts among fishermen’s groups and assisting the Hɛn Mpoano Initiative in monitoring outcomes of the prosecution of fisheries
offencesviolations.
2.2 Component 2: Improved Governance of the Landscape
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