The Upstream Petroleum Policy Formulation in Ghana: The Relative Weight between Science and Politics in Shaping the Process

Abstract

The role of policy in public and national administration is of immense significance. Policy formulation is integral to a nation's endeavour to optimize its resources for the welfare of its citizens. Notably, petroleum holds global importance, and policies have been established to regulate its diverse aspects across the value chain—downstream, midstream, and upstream. Empirical studies have explored the multifaceted factors influencing petroleum policy formulation. However, there's a research gap regarding the intricate interplay between science and politics in policy formulation, particularly in Ghana. This study addresses this gap, focusing on the roles of science and politics in Ghana's upstream petroleum sector. The study investigates the nature, driving forces, and implications of the interplay between science and politics in Ghana's policy formulation, emphasizing the upstream petroleum sector. Using qualitative methods, data was collected from 25 experts in policy-making and Ghana's petroleum sector through in-depth interviews and analysis of relevant documents. The study framework drew from the New Institutional Theory, particularly DiMaggio and Powell's isomorphic forces. Findings highlight the essential roles of science and politics in Ghanaian policy-making. The policy landscape is intertwined with politics, yet science serves as a foundation due to its precise problem-solving approach, supplying accurate data for policy decisions. Politics often initiates decisions before involving other stakeholders. Internal and external factors—partisan politics, policy actors' clientelism, re-election efforts aided by rating agencies and Bretton Wood institutions, and foreign relations—shape the interplay between science and politics, influencing policy-making. The interaction between science and politics bears substantial implications for policy outcomes in Ghana. The study concludes that science is critical in the upstream petroleum policy decision making process, while politics is pivotal in formulating policies for the industry, though hindered by institutional constraints. Existing institutional constraints however complicate these conclusions. The study therefore recommends that the research capacity of the research wings within the ministries, public departments and agencies must be enhanced by the government to ensure rigorous and credible research to complement and advise political decisions in the policy making process.