Examining stakeholder participation and conflicts associated with large scale infrastructure projects: the case of Tema port expansion project, Ghana

ABSTRACTBalancing economic activities with socio-environmental considerations has become a global standard for the construction of large scale infrastructure projects, including ports. In this discourse, stakeholder participation and environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) have been stressed as important tools that can help port managers to co-create values, avoid conflicts and promote inclusive growth. Drawing on qualitative research tools and stakeholder theory, this paper explores whether and to what extent local stakeholders’ inclusion has substantial influence on addressing their socio-cultural concerns and interest. This is illustrated with a case study of an ongoing port expansion project at Ghana’s largest port of Tema. The findings suggest that although the port authority conducted an ESIA and engaged local stakeholders as part of the planning process, this did not translate into preventing the loss of valuable cultural resources of the local communities. The port authority did not place ‘value’ on cultural resources of the local communities that cannot be expressed in monetary terms. Further, lack of good faith engagement with local stakeholders led to conflicts in some cases that triggered a court action and delays. The paper concludes that stakeholder participation if not applied well, can become a ‘post-political’ tool.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2019.1627013
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2899960
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group 2019. Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Lawer, Eric Tamatey
• Publication Date: 2019-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 735-756
• Serial:
  • Maritime Policy & Management
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0308-8839
  • EISSN: 1464-5254
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tmpm20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Construction projects; Cultural resources; Environmental impacts; Ports; Public participation; Social impacts; Stakeholders
• Identifier Terms: Tema Port
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Society; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01710811
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 16 2019 10:17AM