Deliberative public engagement in Ghana: consultation processes and outcomes during the privatisation of water

Philip Boahen and Emanuel Gomes

International Journal of Business Environment, 2023, vol. 14, issue 3, 326-350

Abstract: The existing body of knowledge suggests that deliberative public engagement in major public sector reforms improves service users' participation and maximises successful outcomes. However, limited research has addressed public involvement during the privatisation of essential services within developing countries. Based on a case study research method in the context of Ghana, this paper highlights how ineffective consultation and a lack of deliberative engagement during water privatisation led to public protests and limited benefits for service users. The paper extends existing debates by showing how political dynamics, social status, and power can impact the modes and outcomes of privatisation within developing countries. The conclusions call for a more nuanced understanding and better use of deliberative processes during privatisation within developing country contexts.

Keywords: deliberative engagement; public consultation; water privatisation; public-private partnerships; Ghana; Africa. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=131872 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijbenv:v:14:y:2023:i:3:p:326-350

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in International Journal of Business Environment from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sarah Parker ().