Implementing Public Private Partnerships in Africa:The Case of Urban Water Service Delivery in Ghana

Abstract

The study sets out to given in-depth analysis of thePublic Private Partnership between the government of Ghana, represented by GWCL and Aqua Vitens Rand Ltd –AVRL from 2005-2011 and to generate an insight on how the implementation process faired from the perspective of implementers in particular, civil society organisations and the public utility workers union. The case study method within the qualitative approach was used for the study. The study also, made use of interview as the research instrument and respondents were purposively selected. The results of the study were subjected to an interpretative analysis combined with secondary data from the literature review. There were several grey areas in the management contract resulting in a number of ambiguities in various parts of the management contract. These ambiguities translated into delays in the implementation process. Also, there appeared to be conflict of interest on the part of GWCL, resulting in weak supervision. Political interference also weakened the structures established for the implementation of the contract. Leadership of GWCL was weakened as result of frequent changes in leadership and the fact that leaders were mostly in acting capacities. Despite the richness of the data, the study encountered a number of difficulties including the unwillingness of some senior level staff to participate in the study limits the diversity of perspectives which otherwise would have broadened the scope of the study. The findings provide deeper understanding to public policy implementation in respect of the management contract between GWCL and AVRL. The paper particularly contributes to the challenges implementers encounter in implementing management contracts from both implementers and non-implementers perspectives. It may also contain lessons for implementers in the private sector.