KNOWLEDGE SHEET 11C | POLITICAL  E CO NO M I C, SO CI A L A ND CU LTU R A L D E VELOPMEN T KNOWLEDGE SHEET 11C | POLITICAL What role does the Government play in the economic, social and cultural development whilst enhancing the environment? Engaging Public Institutions in economic, social and cultural developments • The coastal areas in West Africa make up more than half of the regions GDP (56%). • West African regional exports amounts to a total GDP of $734.8 billion (2013). The region’s major export commodities are energy products (crude oil, gas and refined petroleum products), fish, natural resources and agricultural products (ECOWAS, 2016). Source: United Nations World Population Prospects 2015. • West Africa remains one of the strongest economies on the continent, growing by as much as 6.3 percent in 2013 (ECOWAS, 2016). Collaboration at local, national and regional scale is essential to respond to a wide range of challenges such • West Africa’s population is projected to exceed as coastal erosion and flooding, overexploitation of one billion by 2059, with 1 in 10 of the world’s natural resources, marine and coastal pollution, rapid population being West African (UN, 2015) urbanization, and unsustainable land use. It is expected (see chart). that the coastal ecosystems will be further damaged as climate change becomes worse. The loss of economically valuable ecosystems (biodiversity) resources, in addition With an increasing population growth in the West African to, coastal tourist beaches, hotels, fish landing sites and region, coupled with human-induced and natural hazards other key areas will undermine local livelihoods, cultural exacerbated by climate change, the balance of economic, heritages and the national economies. social and cultural elements that are in harmony with The national, regional and local governments need to the environment, is under threat. West Africa is rich in promote alternative livelihoods, enforce fishing quotas, cultural capital and socio-economic classes which are all regulate coastal activities and promote blue-green reliant on the sustainable functioning of the environment. infrastructures (mangroves restoration, endemic plants 1 KNOWLEDGE SHEET 11C | POLITICAL  E CO NO M I C, SO CI A L A ND CU LTU R A L D E VELOPMEN T in lagoons, stabilizing plants on dune systems etc). eco-tourism etc. should all be promoted. Alternative socio- Governments can take action to assist its constituents economic plans and roadmaps should be developed that through negotiated agreements and networks that support are based on local experiences and needs in a bottom-up protected areas with the goal to achieve a balance between demand driven fashion. economic, social and cultural developments that can Any new national investment project, tourism investment, co-exist in harmony with the environment. infrastructure facility at the coastal region can assess the environmental impacts with a participatory approach in human-centered stakeholder engagement charrettes that Challenges identify specific activities that benefit the economic, social and cultural development arenas. The challenges listed all threaten the services offered by coastal ecosystems putting at risk coastal communities. A number of further implemental solutions that local and The following aspects need to be addressed by local and national governments can introduce include: national governments: • Economic, social and cultural studies on the potential • Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures relocation of communities in response to rising sea levels and intensified coastal storms • Unsustainable infrastructure development • Agriculture diversification • The lack of land planning • Improve efficiency of food preservation and storage • Inadequate management of natural habitats and resources • Innovative financing mechanisms to enhance the eco- nomic and thus the social and cultural development • The lack of enforcement of fishing restrictions in the region • Uncontrolled freshwater and marine pollution • Government financing for micro-credits to local coastal Furthermore, there is a disconnect between local businesses to allow them to grow sustainability and to create jobs in the local communities economics and national interests which makes it hard for local economies to grow without the support and • Government facilitation to aid communities to create implementation of policies and legislation from national funds or crowd funding opportunities for local business governments. • National promotion of blue-green infrastructures Human induced activities are also affecting the (building with nature to provide an ecological frame- interconnection of economic, social and cultural work for social, economic, cultural and environmental development with that of environmental protection. health of the surroundings) For example, sand mining, deep-sea ports, damming of rivers and climate change are all currently impacting on the economic, social and cultural heritage of many areas. For example, 20 years ago, the town of Fuvemeh in Ghana, was a prospering community of 2,500 people, supported by fishing and coconut plantations which is all now completely underwater. Potential Solutions The governments of West African countries could work together to formulate integrated water and coastal management plans as well as enhancing the networks of marine and coastal protected areas. The governments should also work to promote alternative livelihoods that can tap into the rich cultural backgrounds of each region and promote the different cultures of the region to further drive tourism, for example: local crafts, traditional arts, 2 KNOWLEDGE SHEET 11C | POLITICAL  E CO NO M I C, SO CI A L A ND CU LTU R A L D E VELOPMEN T BEST PRACTICE Regional and local governments working together to take forward agreed coastal zone management priorities (United Kingdom) Local Area Agreements (LAAs) were set in place to welcomed the initiative. If local partnerships and the delegate central government decision making to local central government are in broad agreement regarding coastal communities. It has been found that most priorities then the central government policy objectives LAAs were managed effectively and an independent can be achieved via goals related to local vision at evaluation showed that they successfully achieved community level. The LAAs have also increased the many of the goals set out. Regional authorities, understanding of the roles of local partnerships and partners and Governmental Organisations have largely Government Organizations. REFERENCES • United Nations. 2015. World Population Prospects. • Economic Community of West African States https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/ (ECOWAS) . 2016. http://www.ecowas.int/ key_findings_wpp_2015.pdf about-ecowas/basic-information/ The West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) is a convening platform that aims to assist West African countries to sustainably manage their coastal areas and enhance socio-economic resilience to the effects of climate change. The program also seeks to facilitate access to technical expertise and financial resources for participating countries. www.worldbank.org/waca 3