University of Ghana * Department of Political Science* Course Catalogue: June 2021

Monday 21 June 2021

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (MPHIL) POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLI 608: GOVERNMENT BUDGETING

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST, SECOND SEMESTER, 2020-2021 LECTURER: PROFESSOR ATSU AYEE

LECTURE TIME: MONDAY, 2 PM – 4 PM

1. Course Objective

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the concept of government budgeting. Specifically, it deals with what a budget is about, the types of budgets (balanced, surplus and deficit), the qualities of a good budget, importance of the budget, the budgetary process, the institutional framework for budgeting in Ghana, the politics of budgeting, the public financial management system. It also examines budget reform strategies, fiscal decentralization and techniques and tools of budgeting such as line-item budgeting, Zero-Based Budgeting, medium

term expenditure framework (MTEF), Activity Based Budgeting (ABB) and Programme Based Budgeting (PBB).

2. Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of the course are at three levels, namely, knowledge, skills and behaviour. 3. Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to do the following:

• Define government budgeting.

• Describe the budget process.

• Appreciate the politics of the budget process.

• Identify the three types of the budget.

• Enumerate Ghana’s public financial management system, its strengths and weaknesses. • Describe the institutional framework for the budget in Ghana

• Describe the strategies for budget reform in Ghana

• Describe the techniques and tools of budgeting.

• Make a prognosis of the future of government budgeting in Ghana.

4. Instructional Methodology

This class will use a seminar/workshop format and will meet for three hours once a week. It will comprise a combination of lectures, discussions, student presentations and term papers.

5. Evaluation

Seminar presentation by student - 25% Term paper of 2,000 words on student’s choice of topic - 25% Written Examination - 50% Total - 100

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

WEEK 1

Nature and scope of government budgeting: definitions, features and importance of the budget

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Kariuki, E. & K. Kiragu, “Public Expenditure Management” in L. Adamolekun (ed.) Public Administration in Africa: Main Issues and Selected Country Studies. 2nd edn. Ibadan: Evans Brothers. Chapter 6.

Rubin, I.S. “New Directions in Public Budgeting”, in D.C. Menzel & H.L. White (eds.) The State of Public Administration: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities. London/New York: M.E. Sharpe, 2011. Chapter 9.

Hilton, R.M. & P.G. Joyce, “Performance Information and Budgeting in Historical and Comparative Perspective”, in B. Guy Peters & Jon Pierre (eds.) The Handbook of Public Administration. London: Sage, 2007. Chapter 20.

Kok, L. “Accrual Budgeting in a Comparative Perspective”, in B. Guy Peters & Jon Pierre (eds.) The Handbook of Public Administration. London: Sage, 2007. Chapter 21.

United Nations, Realizing Human Rights through Government Budgets. New York: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). HR/PUB/17/2017.

Humado, C.K. “Pro-poor Policies and the Budget Process: The Role of Parliament/Parliamentarians – the Ghanaian Experience”, in Parliaments, Poverty and the Budget Process in Africa. Accra: Africa Poverty Reduction and Parliamentarian Centre, 2009.

Caiden, Naomi and Aaron Wildavsky. Planning and Budgeting in Poor Countries. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1974.

WEEK 2

Types of budget: strengths and weaknesses

Ipek, E.A.S. “New Approaches in Public Budgeting”, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82371

Hou, Y. “Designing and Administering Revenue Systems”, in J.L. Perry & R. Christensen (eds.) Handbook of Public Administration 3edn. San Francisco, CA: Wiley, 2015. Chapter 23.

OECD (2014) OECD principles of budgetary governance,

http://www.oecd.org/governance/budgeting/draft-prin-ciples-budgetary-governance.pdf. (Accessed January 20, 2020)

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Caiden, Naomi and Aaron Wildavsky. Planning and Budgeting in Poor Countries. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1974.

WEEK 3

The budgetary process or cycle: strengths and weaknesses

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Ipek, E.A.S. “New Approaches in Public Budgeting”, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82371

Caiden, Naomi and Aaron Wildavsky. Planning and Budgeting in Poor Countries. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1974.

WEEK 4

Institutional framework for budgeting in Ghana: issues, strengths and weaknesses

Republic of Ghana, Public Financial Management Act, Act 921, 2016. Accra: GPCL Assembly Press, 2016.

Republic of Ghana, Public Financial Management Regulations, LI2378, 2019. Accra: GPCL Assembly Press.

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Garnet, H & W. Plowden, “Cabinets, Budgets and Poverty: Political Commitment to Poverty Reduction”, in B. Levy & S. Kpundeh (eds.) Building State Capacity in Africa: New Approaches, Emerging Lessons. Washington DC: The World Bank, 2004, Chapter 5.

B. Dorotinksky & R. Floyd, “Public Expenditure Accountability in Africa: Progress, Lessons and Challenges”, in B. Levy & S. Kpundeh (eds.) Building State Capacity in Africa: New Approaches, Emerging Lessons. Washington DC: The World Bank, 2004, Chapter 6.

OECD. OECD principles of budgetary governance,

http://www.oecd.org/governance/budgeting/draft-prin-ciples-budgetary-governance.pdf. (Accessed January 20, 2020).

WEEK 5

Ghana’s public financial management system: issues

Republic of Ghana, Public Financial Management Act, Act 921, 2016. Accra: GPCL Assembly Press, 2016.

Republic of Ghana, Public Financial Management Regulations, LI2378, 2019. Accra: GPCL Assembly Press.

Adamtey, N. (2017) The Road to Budget Transparency in Ghana, https://www.internationalbudget.org/wp-content/uploads/the-road-to-budgettransparency-in ghana-ibp-case-study-2017.pdf (accessed, 20/1/20)

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

WEEK 6

Ghana’s public financial management system: strengths and weaknesses

Republic of Ghana, Public Financial Management Act, Act 921, 2016. Accra: GPCL Assembly Press, 2016.

Republic of Ghana, Public Financial Management Regulations, LI2378, 2019. Accra: GPCL Assembly Press.

Adamtey, N. (2017) The Road to Budget Transparency in Ghana, https://www.internationalbudget.org/wp-content/uploads/the-road-to-budgettransparency-in ghana-ibp-case-study-2017.pdf (accessed, 20/1/20)

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

WEEK 7

Strategies for budget reform in Ghana

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Schick, A. “Twenty Five Years of Budgeting Reform”, OECD Journal of Budgeting, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2004, pp. 81-102.

OECD, Managing Public Expenditure: A Reference Book for Transition Societies. Paris: OECD, 2001.

WEEK 8

Fiscal decentralization in Ghana: issues, strengths and weaknesses

Institute for Fiscal Studies, “Fiscal Decentralization in Ghana: Progress and Challenges”. Prepared by the staff team of the IFS, led by Edna Osei (Research Analyst) June 2017. Discussion Paper No. 10, 2017.

Amoako-Asiedu, E. & K.A. Domfeh, “The Challenges of Central Government Fiscal and Financial Policies on Local Government Programmes in Ghana”. International Journal of African and Asian Studies, Vol. 26, 2016, pp. 32-40.

Dafflon, B & T. Madies (eds.) The Political Economy of Decentralization in Sub Saharan Africa. Washington DC: World Bank, 2013.

WEEK 9

Techniques and tools of budgeting: line item and zero-based budgeting

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Ipek, E.A.S. “New Approaches in Public Budgeting”, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82371

Wildavsky, A. “A budget for all seasons? Why the traditional budget lasts,” Public Administration Review 38 (6), 1978: 501–509.

WEEK 10

Techniques and tools of budgeting in Ghana: activity-based budgeting versus programme based budgeting

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Ho, A.T-K., “Performance Budgeting”, in J.L. Perry & R. Christensen (eds.) Handbook of Public Administration 3edn. San Francisco, CA: Wiley, 2015. Chapter 22.

Schick, A. “The metamorphoses of performance budgeting,” OECD Journal of Budgeting, 13(2), 2013.

Wildavsky, A. “A budget for all seasons? Why the traditional budget lasts,” Public Administration Review 38 (6), 1978: 501–509.

WEEK 11

The politics of budgeting in Ghana

Killick, T. “The politics of Ghana’s budgetary system”, CDD/ODI Policy Brief No. 2, November 2005.

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Johnson, M. “Understanding the Real Budget Process: The Case of Ghana”, IFFRI Discussion Note # 029.

Wildavsky, A. The New Politics of the Budgetary Process. 2d ed. New York: Harper Collins, 1992.

WEEK 12

The political business cycle in Ghana

Iddrisu, A. G. & G.A. Bokpin, “Political business cycles and economic growth in Africa”, Journal of Economic Studies, Vol. 45 No. 4, 2018 pp. 760-772.

Kwankye, J.K. “Budget Discipline should be Entrenched in Ghana as a Policy Priority”, Legislative Alert, Vol. 21, No.1, August, 2014.

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

WEEK 13

The future of government budgeting in Ghana

Killick, T. “The politics of Ghana’s budgetary system”, CDD/ODI Policy Brief No. 2, November 2005.

Republic of Ghana, The Budget Operations Manual for Development of the National Budget. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Budget Division), n.d.

Ipek, E.A.S. “New Approaches in Public Budgeting”, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82371

SEMINAR TOPICS

1. What is government budgeting? What are its features, strengths and weaknesses? 2. Why is budgeting political?

3. Examine the major types of budget.

4. Discuss the budgetary cycle in Ghana. Illustrate your answer with examples. 5. Examine the major reforms implemented over the years to improve budgeting in Ghana.

6. How effective is Ghana’s public financial management system? Give examples to illustrate your points.

7. Compare and contrast line item budgeting and zero-based budgeting.

8. Compare and contract activity based budgeting and programme based budgeting.

9. Comment on the view that fiscal decentralization remains the Achilles heel of decentralization in Ghana.

10. How can the political business cycle be improved in Ghana?

11. Assuming you have been appointed the Minister of Finance of Ghana, examine some of the reforms you will introduce in the country’s budget statement.

12. What do you think is the future of government budgeting in Ghana?

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

PhD IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

SECOND SEMESTER, 2020-2021

POLI 708: PUBLIC POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

Lecturer: Prof. Joseph R.A. Ayee

LECTURE TIME: MONDAY, 8 AM – 10 AM

1. Course Description

The course provides an introduction to the concepts, theories and debates at the core of public policy. The course is designed to prepare the students for their dissertation research, and therefore provides for a broad discussion of public policy analysis that draws on insights and theories from political science, international relations, economics, law and sociology. The main objective of this course is to develop an advanced understanding of major debates in contemporary public policy, theoretical approaches to the study of public policy as well as diverse methodological opportunities of researching various aspects of public policy-making. The concern is to identify and analyze (a), major scholarly currents and traditions of public policy as an academic discipline and a research area; (b) core concepts in policy analysis; (c) major methodological perspectives, debates and logics of research inquiry used for academic research on public policy; and (d) explanatory capacity of existing theoretical tools.

Particular attention is paid to the state-of-the-art in public policy research and practice. This is done through, for instance, including discussions from social constructivism and argumentative and interpretive research, and by including practical sessions related to public policy career prospects. Selected examples of public policies and programmes in the areas of the economy (budget and taxation), politics, governance and environment in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries will be used to provide a better understanding of the concepts and theories.

2. Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of the course are at three levels, namely, knowledge, skills and behaviour. 3. Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course therefore, participants will be able to:

• Define policy, decision, public policy, wicked problems and public policy analysis.

• Explain why one undertakes public policy analysis.

• Describe the procedures or methods of policy analysis, public policy cycle and the policy environment.

• Identify official and unofficial policy makers.

• Enumerate the descriptive models (systems, group, elite and institutional) and prescriptive models (rational comprehensive, incremental, mixed scanning, public choice and garbage can) of public policy making.

• State the theories of public policy implementation such as the complexity of joint action, implementation as evolution, top down and bottom up.

• Describe the theories and criteria used in policy/programme evaluation. • Identify the challenges to effective public policy making and implementation African countries.

• Design policies and programmes.

• Analyze policies and programmes.

• Think and act systems whenever they are confronted with a public policy issue. 4. Instructional Methodology

This class will use a seminar/workshop format and will meet for three hours once a week. It will comprise a combination of lectures, discussions, student presentations and term papers.

5. Evaluation

Seminar presentation by student 25% Term paper of 2,000 words on student’s choice of topic 25% Written Examination 50% Total 100

COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS

WEEK 1

The nature and scope of public policy making: definitions of theory, model, policy, decision, programme, public policy and policy analysis; characteristics of public policy and importance of studying public policy; wicked problems

Michael Kraft and Scott Furlong Public Policy: Politics, Analysis and Alternatives. 5th Edition. (SAGE Publications, CQ Press, 2015).

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984). Y. Dror, Public Policy Making Re-examined (Scranton: Chandler, 1968).

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

J.R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

J.R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku. The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

Frank Fischer, Gerald Miller and Mara Sidney (eds.) Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods. (New York/London: CRC Press, 2007).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

B.W. Head and J. Alford “Wicked Problems: Implications for Public Policy and Management”, Administration & Society, 47(6), 2015: 711–739.

H.W.J. Rittel & Webber, M. M. “Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning”, Policy Sciences, 4, 1973: 155-169.

E.P. Weber and Anne M. Khademian “Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings”, Public Administration Review, March/April: 2008: 334-349.

WEEK 2

The policy sciences; the methods or procedures of public policy analysis (policy problem structuring, forecasting policy futures; recommending policy actions, monitoring policy outcomes and evaluating policy performance)

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Making: Approaches and Concepts”, in Kayode Odusote (ed.) West African Postgraduate Medical College: Health Service Management, Course Manual Vol. 2 Series 1, 1996, Unit 2: Public Administration Module 1.

Frank Fischer, Gerald Miller and Mara Sidney (eds.) Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods. (New York/London, CRC Press, 2007).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

WEEK 3

The phases of the policy cycle (agenda setting; formulation; implementation; evaluation; policy change; and policy termination)

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas, Public Choices and Policy Change (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEK 4

The policy environment (defining the policy environment; internal and external factors; primary and secondary policy makers and actors; turbulence and unpredictable of the policy environment)

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas, Public Choices and Policy Change (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

WEEK 5 & 6

The descriptive theories/models of public policy: elite, group/pluralist, systems, institutional and policy communities and networks models

Michael Hill (ed.) The Policy Process: A Reader (London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993). AAPAM, Public Policy Making in Africa (Addis Ababa: Artistic Printers, 1991). Charles Lindblom, The Policy Making Process (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1980).

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991). James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEKS 7 & 8

Prescriptive theories/models of public policy making (rational choice models such as the rational comprehensive, incrementalism, mixed scanning, normative-optimal, bounded rationality-satisficing, public choice/rational choice, garbage can)

Thomas Dye, Understanding Public Policy, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1991).

James Anderson, Public Policy Making, 3ed. (New York: CBS College, 1984).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

P. Dorey, Policy Making in Britain: An Introduction (London: Sage, 2005).

WEEKS 8 & 9

Implementation of public policies; (implementation; theories of policy implementation: the complexity of joint action; implementation as evolution, top-down, bottom up and interactive models)

J. Pressman and A. Wildavsky, Implementation, 3ed. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984).

M. Grindle (ed.) Politics and Policy Implementation in the Third World (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas Public Choices and Policy Change: The Political Economy of Reform in Developing Countries (Baltimore/London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Some Theoretical Models of Policy Implementation: An Assessment”, Greenhill Journal of Administration, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1991: 15-30.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, An Anatomy of Public Policy Implementation: The Case of Decentralization Policies in Ghana (Aldershot, England: Avebury, 1994).

Michael Hill (ed.) The Policy Process: A Reader (London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

R.K. Sapru Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEKS 10 &11

Policy Monitoring and Evaluation: (characteristics of successful analysis; types of policy failures; the policy evaluation continuum – ex-ante policy analysis; policy maintenance; policy monitoring; ex-post evaluation; types of ex-post evaluation – before and after comparison; with and without comparison; actual versus planned performance comparison; criteria for evaluation -effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, appropriateness, equity and responsiveness) and techniques (such as cost benefit analysis; cost effectiveness analysis); principles of quick evaluation

M. Bovens and P. t’Hart, “Revisiting the Study of Policy Failures”, European Journal of Public Policy, 2016 at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2015.1127273.

M. Howlett, “The Lessons of Failure: Learning and Blame Avoidance in Public Policy”, International Political Science Review 33(5) 2012: 539–55.

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

R.C. Rist (ed.) Policy Evaluation (Aldershot: Edward Elgar, 1995).

Frank Fischer, Gerald Miller and Mara Sidney (eds.) Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods (New York/London, CRC Press, 2007).

R.K. Sapru, Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation (New Delhi: Sterling, 2004).

WEEK 11

Policy Communication (essence of policy communication; policy communication documents – policy memorandum; policy issue paper, executive summary, press releases and policy briefs; skills for policy communication: synthesis, analysis, use of visual aids such as power point presentation, use of boxes, charts, organograms, tables, graphs, pie charts and tables)

William Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2edn. (New Jersey: Englewood Cliffs, 1994).

James Lester and J. Stewart, Jnr., Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach, 2edn (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2000).

B.W. Hogwood and L. Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).

WEEK 12

Policy making in Africa: issues, challenges and prospects

Dele Olowu & Soumana Sako (eds.) Better Governance and Public Policy: Capacity Building for Democratic Renewal in Africa (Bloomfield, CT.: Kumarian, 2002).

M.S. Grindle and J.W. Thomas, Public Choices and Policy Change (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991).

R.H. Bates & A.O. Krueger (eds.) Political and Economic Interactions in Economic Policy Reform (Cambridge: Blackwell, 1993).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems: Explaining the Success of Public Policies and Programmes in Ghana (Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 2000).

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Policy Management in Ghana: The Case of the Value-Added Tax (VAT)”, African Journal of Public Administration and Management, Vol. VIII-IX, No. 2 (July), 1997: 51- 64.

Roger Tangri, The Politics of Patronage in Africa: Parastatals, Privatization and Private Enterprise (Oxford: James Currey, 1999).

Michael Todaro, Economic Development, 7th edn (New York: Addison-Wesley, 2000).

J. Herbst, The Politics of Reform in Ghana, 1982-1991 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993).

Eboe Hutchful, Ghana’s Adjustment Experience: The Paradox of Reform (Geneva/Accra/Oxford: UNRISD/Woeli/James Currey, 2002).

Frank Ohemeng and Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Public Policy Making: The Ghanaian Context”, in Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph R.A. Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku (eds.) The Public

Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012), Chapter 2, pp. 19-51.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Politicians and Bureaucrats as Generators of Public Policy in Ghana”, in Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph R.A. Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku (eds.) The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012), Chapter 3, pp. 53-68.

Joseph R.A. Ayee, “Extractive Resources Policy in Ghana”, in Frank Ohemeng, Barbara Carroll, Joseph R.A. Ayee and Alexander Bilson Darku (eds.) The Public Policy Making Process in Ghana: How Politicians and Civil Servants Deal with Public Problems (New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 2012), Chapter 10, pp. 247-268.

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

WEEK 13

Applied Case Studies/Policy Areas: Selected case studies in policy areas such as the economy; budget; taxation; land; decentralization; governance; environment; and security.

K. Ahwoi, Local Government & Decentralisation in Ghana (Accra: Unimax Macmillan, 2010).

J.R.A. Ayee, “Ghana: Decentralization in at Two-Party Democracy”, in J. Tyler Dickovick and James S. Wunsch (eds.) Decentralization in Africa: The Paradox of State Strength (Boulder, CO.: Lynne Rienner, 2014): Chapter 5: 91-112.

J.R.A. Ayee, “The Political Economy of the Creation of Districts in Ghana”, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 48 No. 5, (October 2013): 623-645

J.R.A. Ayee, "Policy Management in Ghana: The Case of the Value-Added Tax (VAT)" African Journal of Public Administration and Management (AJPAM), Vol. VIII-IX, No. 2 (July 1997): 51- 64.

J. R.A. Ayee, “The Formulation and Implementation of Environmental Policy in Ghana”, Africa Development Vol. XXIII, No. 2, 1998): 99-119.

E. Debrah, E. Gyimah-Boadi, A. Essuman-Johnson and K.A. Ninsin (eds.) Ghana: Essays in the Study of Political Science (Legon: University of Ghana, 2014).

K. Hanson, G. Kararach & T.M. Shaw (eds.) Rethinking Development Challenges for Public Policy: Insights from Contemporary Africa (London: Palgrave MacMillan, 2012).

Roll, M. (ed.) The Politics of Public Sector Performance: Pockets of Effectiveness in Developing Countries (London/New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014).

K. Hanson, C, D'Alessandro & F. Owusu (eds.). Managing Africa’s Natural Resources: Capacities for Development. London: Palgrave MacMillan, 2014).

R. Tangri, The Politics of Patronage in Africa: Parastatals, Privatization and Private Enterprise (Oxford: James Currey, 1999).

Y. Dror, The Capacity to Govern: A Report to the Club of Rome (London: Frank Cass, 2002).

Y. Dror, Avant-Garde Politician: Leaders for a New Epoch (Washington, DC: Westphalia Press, 2014).

E. Debrah, E. Gyimah-Boadi, A. Essuman-Johnson and K.A. Ninsin (eds.) Ghana: Essays in the Study of Political Science (Legon: University of Ghana, 2014).

SEMINAR TOPICS

1. What is public policy and what are its characteristics? Why is the study of public policy important?

2. Examine the concept of wicked problems. Give examples to illustrate your points.

3. Comment on the view that the policy sciences have achieved “half a century of activity with some success, some trepidation and misgivings”.

4. What is public policy analysis? What are its procedures?

5. The “weaknesses of the policy cycle underscore the complexity of the policy process”. Discuss.

6. Why is the policy environment unpredictable and turbulent? Give examples to illustrate your points.

7. Examine David Easton’s systems model of public policy making. Give examples to illustrate your points.

8. Compare and contrast the elite, pluralist and institutional models of public policy making.

9. Compare and contrast the complexity of joint action and implementation as evolution models of implementation.

10. Compare and contrast the top-up and bottom-up models of implementation.

11. The rational comprehensive model is “misguided at best and mischievous at worst”. Discuss.

12. Comment on the view that Amitai Etzioni’s mixed scanning model of public policy making is an amalgam of the rational comprehensive and disjointed incremental models.

13. Discuss the features, strengths and weaknesses of the garbage can model of public policy making.

14. The public choice theory is “associated with economic ideas of efficiency … supports recommendations from consumer preferences … and takes advantage of market opportunities”. Discuss and illustrate with examples.

15. Compare and contrast Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality-satisficing model and Yehezkel Dror’s normative optimum model.

16. What contribution, if any, has the policy communities and networks model made to public policy making?

17. Distinguish between policy monitoring and evaluation? What are the nine criteria used in evaluating public policies and programmes? Give examples to illustrate your points.

18. Compare and contrast the cost benefit analysis (CBA) and cost effectiveness analysis (CEA). How useful are they in evaluating public policies and programmes?

19. How does the model of “Saints, Wizards, Demons and Systems” explain the success or failure of public policies and programmes? Give examples to illustrate your points.

20. Comment on the view that the interactive model of implementation is a more suitable model to understanding the vicissitudes of implementation in developing countries

21. What is wrong with public policies and programmes in Africa? What pragmatic strategies can be adopted to address the challenges?

22. What is policy communication? What are the tools used in the policy communication process and what are some of the challenges faced in the use of such tools in African countries?