Several initiatives but little results: A novel approach to offer an institutional explanation for food insecurity in Ghana

Abstract

A key strategy for achieving food security in Ghana is the implementation of food security projects. Unfortunately, one-third of these projects encounter failure, primarily due to institutional shortcomings. The study demonstrates that institutional weaknesses are significant barriers to attaining food security and examines how institutional arrangements influence project outcomes. The research aims to elucidate the institutional arrangements of food security projects, identify the underlying causes of project outcomes associated with these arrangements, and assess the impact of the institutional arrangements of the external environment on the sustainability of food security project outcomes. A root and tuber project was analyzed using the Rank-Form-Action-Function analytical framework. Data were collected through a mix of primary and secondary methods, employing purposive and snowball sampling techniques, alongside data triangulation and theoretical saturation through epoche. The findings reveal that the project has significantly impacted the community by achieving sustainable outcomes through strong institutional arrangements. The results underscore the need for policymakers to prioritize the institutional arrangements of the project's external environment before initiating new projects. It is crucial that both the internal and external environments are conducive to fostering robust institutional frameworks that support sustainable outcomes for food security projects.