Eleven respondents participated in the survey; they comprised 10 males and a female. Three were from the media, three from CSOs,2 civil servants, one person from industry, an INGO and a former CSO or media actor.
Table 1: Political economy factors from analysis of survey results
No.
|
Obstructing Factors-Galamsey
|
Other General Obstruction Factors
|
Enabling factors- Bus branding Saga
|
Enabling Factors-Galamsey
|
1.
|
Excessive red tapes amongst oversight institutions
|
Limited access to information
|
Effective advocacy strategy
|
Coalition building
|
2.
|
Lack of evidence-based policy solutions by government
|
Little or no funding for legal action
|
Public support
|
Leveraging traditional and new media platforms in advocacy
|
3.
|
Inadequate political will
|
Disunited front in advocacy
|
Leveraging traditional and new media platforms in advocacy
|
|
4.
|
Vested interests in the extractive sector
|
Biased advocacy and media coverage
|
Political will by government
|
|
5.
|
Lack of prosecution by the courts
|
Inadequate operationalisation of RTI
|
Legal action
|
|
6.
|
Inadequate resources to sustain advocacy
|
Extractives considered technical
|
Sustained advocacy and demand for accountability
|
|
7.
|
Clientelism
|
Weak accountability and transparency
|
Complementary efforts between Media and CSOs
|
|
8.
|
Weak regulatory oversight
|
Cultural acceptability of certain corrupt practices
|
Democratic dispensation
|
|
9.
|
Inadequate funding for research and investigation
|
Inadequate remuneration for media practitioners
|
Vibrant and Incorruptible CSO and media leaders
|
|
10.
|
Weak oversight role of anti-corruption agencies
|
Inadequate capacity building of media
|
|
|
11.
|
Absolving political appointees of Government
|
Media intimidation
|
|
|
12.
|
|
Political capture of media
|
|
|
3.1 Political economy analysis of case studies
3.1.1 The Bus branding saga
On 16th December 2015, the 2015 annual report on petroleum funds was being discussed in parliament when the then minority questioned the move by the government to spend an amount of GH¢31,000 for branding each of 116 Huanghai buses at a total cost of GH¢ 3.59 million. The Chief of Staff directed the Attorney General to investigate the matter and report back by 22nd December 2015. The Attorney General indicated after the investigation that the total amount to be repaid was GH¢1.9 million. This amount was later reviewed to GH¢1,548 million. The revised amount was premised on a modified Value Added Tax and Withholding Tax position on the original amount.The expenditure was a portion of the annual budget funding amount allocation to roads and infrastructure. The PIAC chair revealed that an amount of GH¢3.65 million was refunded by March 2016. The then sector Minister resigned within a month after the issue broke [20]. The following enabling factors emerge from the analysis of the case.Public support and sustained demand for accountability;legal action;prevailing economic challenge;an effective advocacy strategy; a vibrant and incorruptible CSO and media actors; leveraging traditional and new media platforms in advocacy; complementary efforts between media and CSOs; political will by the government to ensure that the case was investigated and monies recovered and the prevailing democratic dispensation.
3.1.2 Public Support and Sustained demand for accountability
The demand for accountability by the citizenry was unflinching. This support was borne out of their understanding of the issue at hand when the media and civil society discussed and sustained the issue in the media landscape for a long time. For instance, two pressure groups; the Citizen Ghana Movements and Occupy Ghana played a key role in the advocacy process. This assertion is reflected in a response by respondents when asked to list briefly what in their view was the enabling/success factor(s) by the media and CSO in the fight against fighting corruption during the bus branding scandal.
“Mobilising public opinion and support for the cause through public campaigns and sensitisation” ( CSO Male 1)
“Support from the general public” (Civil Servant 1)
“Perseverance and sustained follow-ups on the story” (Former CSO or media actor Male 1)
“The media published the stories and the CSOs demanded accountability” (Media Male 1)
3.1.3 Legal Action
Second, the legal suits filed by Road Safety Advocates Ghana and Occupy Ghana contributed to complying with a repayment plan as proposed by the contractor. Road Safety Advocates Ghana filed a case against the contractor and Ministry for violating windscreen visibility provisions in the country’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180). Occupy Ghana demanded the documents regarding the transaction. This point is echoed in a response by respondents when asked to list briefly what in their view was the enabling/success factor(s) by the media and CSO in the fight against fighting corruption during the bus-branding scandal.
“The court case requesting information” (CSO Male 2)
3.1.4 Prevailing economic challenge
From a desktop review, the demand for accountability was aggravated by the existing economic challenge at the time. In 2015 and 2016, among other dire economic outturns, the country experienced power crises, oil prices collapsed, dropping from USD 98.97 per barrel in 2014 to USD 43.64 per barrel in 2015. The cedi depreciated by 18.75 percent, and Accra experienced devastating floods in Accra,. GDP per capita and GDP growth dipped in 2015. The lowest growth rate ever recorded (2.18%) between 2000 and 2019. GDP per capita, PPP also plummeted from USD 5454.14 to USD 5117.34 [21].
3.1.5 Other Political Economy Factors
From the survey, the following political economy factors contributed to the successes chalked during the bus branding saga. An effective advocacy strategy; a vibrant and incorruptible CSO and media actors; leveraging traditional and new media platforms in advocacy; complementary efforts between media and CSOs; political will by the government to ensure that the case was investigated, and monies recovered; the prevailing democratic dispensation as manifested in an enabling environment especially the freedom to information, and media freedom, access to information, and freedom of speech. Below are some unedited responses from respondents
An effective advocacy strategy
“Effective advocacy strategy”( Female CSO 3)
A vibrant and incorruptible CSO and media actors
“Vibrant and bold civil society and media leadership” (Male INGO 1)
“Availability of hardworking and high integrity Journalist and CSOS” (Male Civil Servant 2)
Leveraging traditional and new media platforms
“Use of social and traditional media” ( Female CSO 3)
“Vibrant social media participation in governance issues” (Male INGO 1)
“Social media” (Male Civil Servant 2)
Complementary efforts between media and CSOS
“Partnerships” (Female CSO 3)
“The media uncovered them and kept talking about them until it courts public attention” (Male Media 2)
Political will by the government
“Committed Government in power” ( Male Industry 1)
“Relatively receptive government” (Male INGO 1)
Democratic dispensation
” Access to information”( Male Civil Servant 1 and Male Media 2)
“Independence of the media” (Male Civil Servant 1)
“Enabling legal environment especially FOI and Media Freedom in Ghana” (Male CSO 1)
“Democratic space” (Female CSO 3)
“Freedom of speech” (Male Civil Servant 2)
“Easy Access to information and data” (Male Civil Servant 2)
3.2 Galamsey
In the late 1980s, there were widespread cases of illegal small-scale mining (also known as Galamsey) immediately after the promulgation of the Small-Scale Mining Law, 1989 (PNDCL 218) which sought to give directives regarding licensing,ownership and operation of small-scale gold mining in Ghana [22]. In the last decade, the concern for illegal small-scale mining got revived in February 2017 when the Director of Natural Resources at Ghana’s EPA cautioned that the country risks importing water if Galamsey is unchecked. Before this caution, some water treatment plants had shut down. This triggered the #StopGalamseyNow campaign by Citi FM and the subsequent launch of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG) in April 2017. The #StopGalamseyNow campaign by CitiFm had five pressing objectives: first, a halt in galamsey for six months. Second, a cessation in new mining licence issuance for a year. Third, it demanded a re-categorization of small-scale mining activities to reflect the current use of heavy-duty equipment. Fourth, allow the regeneration of polluted water bodies. Fifth, reclamation of lands destroyed by illegal mining. Similarly, MCAG's objective was to embark on public education on the adverse impact of unsustainable mining practices and an end to Galamsey[23].
3.2.1 Successes chalked during Galamsey fight
The following were some feats chalked after reinvigorating the fight against Galamsey in the ASM subsector. First, a ban was placed on small scale mining in April 2017. Afterward, Operation Vanguard was launched on 31st July 2017 [24]. The security task force arrested more than 1000 illegal miners and had their equipment seized. Second, three of the five objectives of Citi FM’s #StopGalamseyNow campaign was achieved, except for land reclamation and ASM sub-sector recategorisation. That same month, the Judicial service announced the constitution of 14 specialised courts comprising seven high courts and seven circuit courts to deal with mining offences speedily. In 2018, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) was formed. IMCIM trained and vetted over 1000 miners to go back to work and launched a road map for lifting the ban. To support the fight, Parliament reviewed the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 to prescribe harsher punishment for offenders.
3.2.1.1. Enabling political economy factors during the Galamsey fight
3.2.1.2 Coalition building
From the analysis of the case study, the media formed a potent coalition called the Media Coalition Against Galamsey.
3.2.1.3 Leveraging traditional and new media platforms in advocacy
Citi FM leveraged its authoritative executive breakfast show as a platform for evidence-based advocacy. Besides, the media deployed the use of investigative journalism, enhanced coverage, and advocacy through their respective platforms to throw sunshine on sector issues and increase the number of stories.
3.2.2 Impeding political economy factors against Galamsey fight
Despite some successes chalked, several factors contributed to a botched galamsey fight. Below are some factors.
3.2.2. Excessive role duplicity amongst oversight institutions
First, IMCIM virtually took over the regulatory and monitoring role of the Minerals Commission, second, another layer of bureaucracy and role facsimile was witnessed when the GalamSTOP taskforce was formed in September 2019 to supplement the role of Operation Vanguard and IMCIM. This is aptly stated by a respondent that
“Bureaucracies at responsible ministries factors inhibited the media and CSO efforts in the fight against extractive sector corruption” (Civil Servant Male 2)
3.2.2 Vested Interest in the extractive sector
Next, there were news reports of corruption by the lead state actors. For instance, there was a bribery allegation against the then Secretary for IMCIM. He was subsequently cleared by the Criminal Investigations Department but the Official of the Special Prosecutor to an exception to his exoneration [25]. Relatedly, it was announced that a good number out of some 500 seized excavators were missing. Linked to this incident was the arrest by the then New Patriotic Party central regional vice-chairman and five others in connection with missing excavators. An audio recording of the then IMCIM Chair and Minister for MESTI seeking to profit from the seizure of excavators and related allegations of conflict of interest went viral. [26]. Respondents stated the underlisted as factors inhibiting the media and CSO efforts in the fight against extractive sector corruption
“Government unwillingness to punish their own” (CSO Male 2)
“Clientelism across the political divide” (INGO Male 1)
3.2.4 Inadequate political will
Regarding the issue of corruption, a significant proportion of miners trained and issued licenses after being vetted were alleged to be party members of the ruling government. Again, there was a lack of support by key ministries and departments like the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, Ministry of Information, Ministry for Water and Sanitation and IMCIM during CSO and Media led events [27]. The Multi-Sectoral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP) was watered down into a roadmap [28] Respondent captured this as
“Inadequate political will” (INGO Male 1)
“Lack of political will on the part of political actors to act on corruption cases"(civil servant1)
“No Political Will, appointees who should fight corruption are those who are corrupt, Government shielding their appointees, family members in govt: (Industry Male 1)
3.2.5 Little or no prosecution by the courts
Strikingly, non-deterrent punishment was issued to offenders. Albeit this was later remedied by a revision of the punishment regime by parliament. Despite the revision, there was no compliance with the revised punishment regime [29]. This claim is corroborated by a responded who noted the
“Lack of prosecution by the courts” (CSO Male 1)
3.2.6 Inadequate resources to sustain advocacy
It is sad to say that the media lost momentum and the fight was left for IMCIM, Operation Vanguard, Galamstop and political actors. For instance, Citi FM gradually switched to cover other equally important national issues. The MCAG activities were stalled after about 18 months donor-supported project ended. To add to this, the media and CSO did not follow up on the activities of the 14 court adequately. A respondent captures this as
Limited resources (financial, logistical) (Civil servant male1)
3.2.7 Inadequate evidence-based policy solutions by government.
Alternative livelihoods provided are usually not research-based. They are largely agrarian, short-term, and usually do not factor in the role of women and children. Another policy failure is the use of security forces as a major intervention to fighting galamsey. This approach is unsustainable [30]. This is stated by a respondent as
“Reality of the issue of lack of alternative livelihoods” Female CSO 1
3.2.9 Other Political Economy Factors that Obstructed Efforts at Curbing the Menace
The results from the survey identify several impeding factors. These are limited access to information; little or no funding for legal action; disunited front in advocacy; biased advocacy and media coverage; the lack of operationalisation of RTI; extractives considered technical; weak state anti-corruption actors; cultural acceptability of certain corrupt practices; media intimidation; political capture of media and inadequate remuneration for media practitioners. This is captured in the responses below.
Limited access to information
"Little access to information, as a result, the lack of operationalisation of the law” Male CSO 2
Little or no funding for legal action
“Lack of resources to take legal action key issues” Male CSO 2
Disunited front in advocacy
“Little togetherness and fighting a common and united cause as a common front” Former CSO or media actor1
Extractives considered technical
“Sector is very complex with too much technical jargon that can cloud the issues” Male CSO 1
Weak state anti-corruption actors
“Weak Anti-corruption agencies “Male CSO 2
Cultural acceptability of certain corrupt practices
Cultural acceptability of certain corrupt practices" Male INGO
Media intimidation
Government has curtailed media freedom. " Media Male 1
“Insecurity in the face of associated risks and exposure” Male CSO 1
Political capture of media
“Political capture of media entities” Media Male 1
Inadequate remuneration for media practitioners
“Inadequate remuneration for media practitioners resulting in most media persons being compromised” Male INGO 1
3.3 Nexus between media and CSO efforts and Corruption
Interestingly there is a strong positive relationship between (Pearson product moment correlation coefficient ( r ) = 0.54) between the control of corruption and voice and accountability(Figure 1). In this study, the variable “voice and accountability” is used as a proxy for CSOs and media efforts. Voice and accountability as used in the chart measure the perceived level of citizen's inclusion in elections, freedom of expression, association and free media. The control of corruption as used in the figure measures the perceived level of abuse of delegated power for private gain, as well as state capture by elites and private interests. The estimate indicators for both variables range from -2.5 (weak) to 2.5 (strong).
[19] Refers to artisanal and small-scale mining activities which violates the Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act,2006 (Act 703) and environmental regulations.
[20] Seth Bokpe, “A-G Presents Bus Branding Documents to OccupyGhana - Graphic Online,” October 10, 2016, https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/a-g-presents-bus-branding-documents-to-occupyghana.html; Victor Kwawukume, “MMT Bus Branding: Court Orders Ministry of Transport to Provide Full Disclosure (UPDATE) - Graphic Online,” April 13, 2016, https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/mmt-bus-branding-court-orders-ministry-of-transport-to-provide-full-disclosure-update.html; Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie and Afanyi Ebenezer Dadzie, “Transport Minister Resigns over Bus Branding Scandal - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always,” December 23, 2015, https://citifmonline.com/2015/12/transport-minister-resigns-over-bus-re-branding-scandal/; Godwin Allotey, “Occupy Ghana Goes to Court over Bus Branding Scandal - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always,” February 19, 2016, https://citifmonline.com/2016/02/occupy-ghana-goes-to-court-over-bus-branding-scandal/.
[21] Enoch Darfah Frimpong, “Confirmed: Kwabena Donkor Resigns over Dumsor Controversy - Graphic Online,” December 31, 2015, https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/confirmed-kwabena-donkor-resigns-over-dumsor-controversy.html; Kwabena Yeboah, “The Finder Online - Cedi Lost 18% in 2015,” January 7, 2016, https://www.thefinderonline.com/life-style/item/6218-cedi-lost-18-in-2015; : Timothy Ngnenbe, “June 3, 2015 Flood, Fire Disaster - Have We Learnt Lessons? - Graphic Online,” June 4, 2020, https://www.graphic.com.gh/?view=article&id=140617:june-3-2015-flood-fire-disaster-have-we-learnt-lessons&catid=257; Worldbank, “API_Download_DS2_en_excel_v2_1385825.”
[22] Richard Ellimah, “From Operation Flush Out to Operation Vanguard: Issues and Lessons,” no. May (2019), http://twnafrica.org/wp/2017/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/from-operation-flush-out-to-vanguard.pdf.
[23] Delali Adogla-Bessa, “Citi FM Launches #StopGalamseyNow Campaign - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always,” April 3, 2017, https://citifmonline.com/2017/04/citifm-launches-stopgalamseynow-campaign/; Godwin Allottey, “Ghana May Soon Import Water over Galamsey - EPA - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always,” February 28, 2017, https://citifmonline.com/2017/02/ghana-may-soon-import-water-over-galamsey-epa/.
[24] Allottey, “Ghana May Soon Import Water over Galamsey - EPA - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.”
[25] ABC News, “CID’s Investigation of Charles Bissue Political – Martin Amidu - ABC News Ghana,” July 22, 2019, https://www.abcnewsgh.com/cids-investigation-of-charles-bissue-political-martin-amidu/; Tiger Eye PI, “Galamsay Fraud,Part 1,” February 2019, https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=2273024716302250.
[26] Graphic Online, “Horace Ekow Ewusi, 5 Others Arrested over Missing Excavators Cautioned - Graphic Online,” February 4, 2020, https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/six-persons-arrested-over-missing-excavators.html.
[27] Gideon Ofosu-Peasah and Gloria Hiadzi, “Are Duty Bearers Supporting the Fight against Galamsey? | Comprehensive Ghana Oil and Gas News, Information, Updates, Analysis,” August 23, 2018, http://www.reportingoilandgas.org/are-duty-bearers-supporting-the-fight-against-galamsey/.
[28] Media Coalition Against Galamsey, “Coalition against Galamsey Demands Clarity on Roadmap to Lift Small-Scale Mining Ban | Comprehensive Ghana Oil and Gas News, Information, Updates, Analysis,” August 2018, http://www.reportingoilandgas.org/coalition-against-galamsey-demands-clarity-on-roadmap-to-lift-small-scale-mining-ban/.
[29] Delali Adogla-Bessa, “OccupyGhana Petitions AG over ‘soft Charges’ for Aisha Huang, Others - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always,” May 17, 2017, https://citifmonline.com/2017/05/occupyghana-petitions-ag-over-soft-charges-for-aisha-huang-others/; Daily Graphic, “Coalition & Occupy Ghana Damn Govt for Failure to Enforce Mining Law - Graphic Online,” January 30, 2020, https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/coalition-occupy-ghana-damn-govt-for-failure-to-enforce-mining-law.html.
[30] Ellimah, “From Operation Flush Out to Operation Vanguard: Issues and Lessons.”