The Influence of Business Sector Challenge (BUSAC) Funded Grantees on Sustainability of Policy Advocacy in Ghana

Theoretical development has been outpaced by the practice of policy advocacy by organizations and interest groups. Nonetheless, the relevance of grounding for advocacy campaigns has increased with the need for an understanding of contributions of advocates’ to policy development and accountability. This study therefore evaluates the influence and contributions of organizations and interest groups on the sustainability of policy advocacy with focus on BUSAC Fund. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to satisfy its objectives, where data was obtained through interviews and questionnaire administration. The data was obtained from 50 grantee organizations under BUSAC Fund and 5 officials of the BUSAC Fund sampled by convenience. Findings of the study revealed that the BUSAC Fund as an interest group has greatly influenced and contributed immensely to policy advocacy sustainability in Ghana’s private business sector.Their contributions to policy formulation and implementation has impacted major sectors including the agriculture, industrial and the services sector. It is obvious that in ensuring policy change and sustainability of advocacy, it is important that support and lobbying is effectively undertaken through formidable interest groups and organizations. BUSAC Fund however in the delivery of their mandate has been entangled by challenges such as poor collaboration between stakeholders, low government commitment and inadequate legislative regulatory instruments. Keywords: Business Sector Challenge, Sustainability Of Policy Advocacy, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-19-06 Publication date:July 31st 2020

Migrants’ remittances: A complementary source of financing adaptation to climate change at the local level in Ghana

Purpose – The much-trumpeted Green Climate Fund and several other official financial mechanisms for financing adaptation to climate change under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have fallen short in meeting adaptation needs. Many poorer people are still grappling with the scourge of climate change impacts. Consequently, there has been a dominant research focus on climate change financing emanating from official development assistance (ODA), Adaptation Fund, public expenditure and private sector support. However, there has been little attempt to examine how migrants’ remittances can close adaptation financing gaps at the local level, ostensibly creating a large research gap. This paper aims to argue that migrants’ remittances provide a unique complementary opportunity for financing adaptation and have a wider impact on those who are extremely vulnerable to climate change. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is aligned to the qualitative research approach. Both secondary and primary data acquired through interviews and focus group discussions were used for the study. Multiple sampling methods were also used to select the respondents. Findings – The findings show that remittances are used to finance both incremental costs of households’ infrastructure and consumption needs, as well as additional investment needs to be occasioned by ongoing or expected changes in climate. Originality/value – In the wake of dwindling government/public revenue, ODA and poor commitment of Annex II countries to fulfil their financial obligations, the study makes the following recommendations: First, the financial infrastructure underpinning money transfers in both sending and recipient countries should be improved to make transfers attractive. Second, significant steps should be taken to reduce the fees on remittance services, especially for the small transfers typically made by poor migrants. Finally, adequate climatic information should be made available to local people to ensure that remittances are applied to the right adaptation option to avoid maladaptation

Operationalization of the Ghanaian Patients’ Charter in a Peri-urban Public Hospital: Voices of Healthcare Workers and Patients

Background Health is a basic human right necessary for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is, therefore, entitled to the highest possible standard of health necessary to living a life of dignity. Establishment of patients’ Charter is a step towards protecting the rights and responsibilities of patients, but violation of patients’ rights is common in healthcare institutions, especially in the developing world. This study which was conducted between May 2013 and May 2014, assessed the operationalization of Ghana’s Patients Charter in a peri-urban public hospital. Methods Qualitative data collection methods were used to collect data from 25 healthcare workers and patients who were purposively selected. The interview data were analyzed manually, using the principles of systematic text condensation. Results The findings indicate that the healthcare staff of the Polyclinic are aware of the existence of the patients’ Charter and also know some of its contents. Patients have no knowledge of the existence or the contents of the Charter. Availability of the Charter, community sensitization, monitoring and orientation of staff are factors that promote the operationalization of the Charter, while institutional implementation procedures such as lack of complaint procedures and low knowledge among patients militate against operationalization of the Charter. Conclusion Public health facilities should ensure that their patients are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities to facilitate effective implementation of the Charter. Also, patients’ rights and responsibilities can be dramatized and broadcasted on television and radio in major Ghanaian languages to enhance awareness of Ghanaians on the Charter