Abstract

This paper examines the interaction among actors in pastoral practices and right to access water in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Water rights, the environment and pastoral practices have been the main issues of discussion in many countries, and Ghana in particular. The focus has always been the negative effects of pastoral activities on environmental resources with less attention on the positive side of it. This paper presents findings on the relationship among various actors (government agencies, community members, herdsmen, livestock owners, and chiefs) in managing pastoral practices. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were held with the various actors to understand their relationship with one another on pastoral practices and water rights in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study revealed that the various actors perceive one another as the cause of weak management of pastoral practices in the area and as such blame each other in pastoral practices. This attitude (blame game) has affected the activities of all the actors with serious implications on social and food insecurity in the area.

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