Implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements in Developing Countries: The Case of the 1973 Washington Convention in Ghana

Abstract

Ghana signed to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also known as the 1973 Washington Convention in 1975. The signing of the CITES demonstrated her commitment to the protection of the environment. It was timely because it came in the wake of rapid global depletion of endangered plants and animals through international trade. Despite this, not much has been achieved in terms of implementing the provisions of the Convention in Ghana. This paper seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding the lack of effective implementation of the convention in the country. Using elite interviews and documentary sources, the paper found that lack of political will by political leaders, the absence of a national law that encapsulates the relevant provisions of CITES, administrative lapses, the lack of coordination and cooperation between Ghana’s law enforcement agencies and her neighboring member states, among others have contributed to this implementation challenge. The study noted that in order to overcome the challenges, Ghana must show political zeal and domesticate CITES provisions in the country’s forest and wildlife policies to give the necessary political backing for smooth implementation in the country. Also, a regional body with oversight responsibility to ensure effective collaboration and coordination is another option to overcome the challenges. Again, providing the necessary logistics and motivation to workers of implementing agencies to enhance performance and make the work attractive to qualified individuals, among others, cannot be underestimated in this regard.