Institutions and food security: Case of the institutional arrangements of two food security projects in Ghana : A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University

Abstract

Food security remains a global challenge, and this is evidenced by unacceptable levels of undernourishment and stunting amongst children across the world. The FAO reported that food insecurity in Africa is four times higher than any place on earth with evidence of a worsening situation in West Africa. Food insecurity levels in Ghana are rising with the Economist Intelligence Unit reporting in 2020 that the country recorded a weak score of 55 (down from 62.8 score in 2019) as well as scoring zero in food security access policy commitments indicator. Despite numerous attempts, Ghana has remained unsuccessful in achieving food security with evidence pointing towards weaknesses in institutional arrangements as major reason for this. This study explores how institutional arrangements affect food security projects in Ghana using the Inland Valley Rice Development Project and Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme as case studies. The study sets out: (i) to understand the institutional arrangement of food security projects, (ii) to determine the institutional causes for food security project outcomes, (iii) to understand the role played by the external project environment towards food security project outcomes and (iv) to recommend polices which will guide Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the design and implementation of food security projects. Using a case study method, the challenge was examined through the novel Rank-Form-Action-Function analytical framework, with qualitative data, purposively collected through interviews, field observation and document analysis. The study has revealed that RTIMP made significant contributions to the local community through strong institutional arrangements of project activities. IVRDP exhibited weak institutional arrangements and therefore failed to impact the lives of the actors and the project community. The study suggests that the nature of the institutional arrangements of project activities is a key determinant in the level of performance and outcomes of the project. RTIMP recorded very strong and sustainable institutions due to a favourable mix of best practices and external project environment while the IVRDP recorded very weak institutional strength and could not attain very strong and sustainable institutions due to an unfavourable external environment. The results showed that institutional variations are central in the determination of food security. The findings suggest a policy direction that favours identifying and factoring into the project, all the factors in the local food system before the start of the project in order to build sustainable local institutions for a successful project implementation. The study recommends the organisation of strategic community entry strategies to capture the external factors, inclusive and participatory methods to strengthen value chains and project implementation and construction of good practice centres to encourage innovation, reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes.