Strategic accountability for sustainability of natural resources – public discharge and optimism in sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2021
Authors
Asare, E.T.
Burton, B.
Dunne, T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to explore individual perceptions about how the government, as the main
architect of policies and regulations, discharges strategic accountability in Ghana’s oil and gas sector and, in
so doing, promotes resource sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach – The study reports on a series of interviews with key actors using
institutional theory as a lens for discussion and interpretation of results. This approach forms the basis for a number
of specific contributions to knowledge regarding strategic accountability around natural resource discoveries.
Findings – Whilst many deeply-set problems appear to persist, the paper reports some favourable movement in
public perceptions regarding institutional accountability that has not been identified previously. The empirical
findings demonstrate how the three elements of institutional theory work together in an emerging country’s natural
resource industry to drive a potentially holistic strategic institutional legitimacy, contrary to the existing pervasive
picture of detrimental regulative, normative and cognitive institutionalism found within the region.
Practical implications – The findings suggest that, contrary to existing regional evidence regarding
institutional financial accountability practices around natural resources, Ghana has made favourable strides
in terms of strategic accountability discharge. This discovery implies that with persistence and commitment,
a meaningful degree of intelligent strategic accountability can be achieved and, with appropriate empirical
methodology, identified and rationalised.
Social implications – The persistent coercive pressure from the Ghanaian society that caused the
government to listen to overtime and take positive steps in the institutionalisation of their strategic
accountability process which translated into a holistic institutional legitimacy that has eluded the sub-region
for decades, is a glimmer of hope for other societies within the sub-Saharan region that all is not lost.
Originality/value – The paper suggests an empirically driven approach to understanding the
institutionalisation of strategic accountability practices and their impact on sustainability around natural
resources in sub-Saharan Africa. The focus on the strategic aspect of accountability – rather than the financial
as in most prior work – and the consideration of opinions at more than a single point in time permits the
identification of novel evidence regarding accountability in emerging economies.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Sustainability, Institutionalism, Ghana, Natural resources, Strategic accountability, Sub-Sahara