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Think Tanks, Governance, and Development in Africa
This significant book addresses an important missing link in the literature on politics, governance, public policy and administration in sub-Saharan Africa. It contributes to the understanding of the emergence of independent institutions that are now playing active roles in formulating and implementing public policies and programs in these countries.
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Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
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This significant book addresses an important missing link in the literature on politics, governance, public policy and administration in sub-Saharan Africa. It contributes to the understanding of emergent independent institutions that are now playing active roles in formulating and implementing public policies and programs in these countries.
Bringing together an array of esteemed academics and practitioners, this book surveys the landscape of think tanks in sub-Saharan Africa and provides in-depth case studies of the policy terrain in Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. With the emergence of effective governance developing in the early 1990s and the opening up of hitherto closed authoritarian policy spaces, the authors explore the ways in which civil society groups are now a force to be reckoned with as they attempt to successfully bring citizens into the policy making process. This prescient exploration of the challenges facing these institutions highlights good governance practice and proposes policy recommendations to better support civil society development in Africa.
Think Tanks, Governance, and Development in Africa is a vital read for academics, researchers and students specializing in development studies, regulation and governance, social policy in emerging countries and political science. Its case studies and practical recommendations are also of interest to policymakers, political advocates and practitioners working in African governance at both the global and national levels.
Bringing together an array of esteemed academics and practitioners, this book surveys the landscape of think tanks in sub-Saharan Africa and provides in-depth case studies of the policy terrain in Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. With the emergence of effective governance developing in the early 1990s and the opening up of hitherto closed authoritarian policy spaces, the authors explore the ways in which civil society groups are now a force to be reckoned with as they attempt to successfully bring citizens into the policy making process. This prescient exploration of the challenges facing these institutions highlights good governance practice and proposes policy recommendations to better support civil society development in Africa.
Think Tanks, Governance, and Development in Africa is a vital read for academics, researchers and students specializing in development studies, regulation and governance, social policy in emerging countries and political science. Its case studies and practical recommendations are also of interest to policymakers, political advocates and practitioners working in African governance at both the global and national levels.
Critical Acclaim
‘Ohemeng and Ayee’s achievement in this book lies in their ability to elevate the unseen aspects of think tanks into a vigorous and engaging conversation about their contributions to governance and development in Africa. They do so by exposing the power and influence of these civil institutions as a rich area for development.’
– Peter Haruna, Texas A&M International University, US
‘The authors highlight the diversity, depth, and significant policy impact of think tanks in eight sub-Saharan countries. Innovation, research, and policy change are driving think tank development on the continent. The authors in this book aptly showcase Africa’s current and future think-tank activities.’
– Kim Moloney, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
‘Frank Ohemeng and Joseph Ayee bring together a distinguished group of scholars who explore the history, development, proliferation, and influence of think tanks in Africa. This timely and much-needed contribution to the growing and evolving literature on think tanks and their efforts to shape public opinion and public policy raises and answers many critical questions about how these diverse and eclectic organizations have become critical players in the marketplace of ideas.’
– Donald E. Abelson, McMaster University, Canada
– Peter Haruna, Texas A&M International University, US
‘The authors highlight the diversity, depth, and significant policy impact of think tanks in eight sub-Saharan countries. Innovation, research, and policy change are driving think tank development on the continent. The authors in this book aptly showcase Africa’s current and future think-tank activities.’
– Kim Moloney, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
‘Frank Ohemeng and Joseph Ayee bring together a distinguished group of scholars who explore the history, development, proliferation, and influence of think tanks in Africa. This timely and much-needed contribution to the growing and evolving literature on think tanks and their efforts to shape public opinion and public policy raises and answers many critical questions about how these diverse and eclectic organizations have become critical players in the marketplace of ideas.’
– Donald E. Abelson, McMaster University, Canada
Contributors
Contributors include: Adigun A.B. Agbaje, E. Remi Aiyede, Joseph R.A. Ayee, Elias Ayuk, Cheikh Oumar Bar, Emmanuel Botlhale, Denis A. Foretia, Ibrahima Hathie, Eugenia Kayitesi, Jean Cedric Kouam, Bright Nkrumah, Frank L.K. Ohemeng, Japheth O. Ondiek, Gedion Onyango, Omosefe Oyekanmi, Radhamany Soorymoorthy, Francis Tazoacha, Dhikru A. Yagboyaju
Contents
Contents:
1 Introduction and theoretical perspective on think tanks 1
Joseph R.A. Ayee and Frank L.K. Ohemeng
2 Survey of think tanks in Africa 27
E. Remi Aiyede and Adigun A.B. Agbaje
3 Think tanks and public policy-making: the case of Botswana 45
Emmanuel Botlhale
4 Think tanks in Cameroon 65
Jean Cedric Kouam, Francis Tazoacha and Denis A. Foretia
5 Think tanks, governance and development: the Ghanaian
perspective 86
Frank L.K. Ohemeng and Joseph R.A. Ayee
6 Think tanks and policy visibility during the COVID-19
responses in Kenya 112
Japheth O. Ondiek and Gedion Onyango
7 Think tanks, governance and development in Nigeria 139
Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju and Omosefe Oyekanmi
8 Think tanks, governance, and development in Africa: the
case of Rwanda 158
Eugenia Kayitesi
9 Think tanks in Senegal: working to inform and influence
national (and regional) public policies 181
Elias Ayuk, Ibrahima Hathie and Cheikh Oumar Ba
10 Think tanks and governance in South Africa 199
Bright Nkrumah and Radhamany Soorymoorthy
11 Conclusion to Think Tanks, Governance, and
Development in Africa 219
Joseph R.A. Ayee and Frank L.K. Ohemeng
1 Introduction and theoretical perspective on think tanks 1
Joseph R.A. Ayee and Frank L.K. Ohemeng
2 Survey of think tanks in Africa 27
E. Remi Aiyede and Adigun A.B. Agbaje
3 Think tanks and public policy-making: the case of Botswana 45
Emmanuel Botlhale
4 Think tanks in Cameroon 65
Jean Cedric Kouam, Francis Tazoacha and Denis A. Foretia
5 Think tanks, governance and development: the Ghanaian
perspective 86
Frank L.K. Ohemeng and Joseph R.A. Ayee
6 Think tanks and policy visibility during the COVID-19
responses in Kenya 112
Japheth O. Ondiek and Gedion Onyango
7 Think tanks, governance and development in Nigeria 139
Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju and Omosefe Oyekanmi
8 Think tanks, governance, and development in Africa: the
case of Rwanda 158
Eugenia Kayitesi
9 Think tanks in Senegal: working to inform and influence
national (and regional) public policies 181
Elias Ayuk, Ibrahima Hathie and Cheikh Oumar Ba
10 Think tanks and governance in South Africa 199
Bright Nkrumah and Radhamany Soorymoorthy
11 Conclusion to Think Tanks, Governance, and
Development in Africa 219
Joseph R.A. Ayee and Frank L.K. Ohemeng
