The Influence of Business Sector Challenge (BUSAC) Funded Grantees on Sustainability of Policy Advocacy in Ghana

Abstract

Theoretical development has been outpaced by the practice of policy advocacy by organizations and interest groups. Nonetheless, the relevance of grounding for advocacy campaigns has increased with the need for an understanding of contributions of advocates’ to policy development and accountability. This study therefore evaluates the influence and contributions of organizations and interest groups on the sustainability of policy advocacy with focus on BUSAC Fund. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to satisfy its objectives, where data was obtained through interviews and questionnaire administration. The data was obtained from 50 grantee organizations under BUSAC Fund and 5 officials of the BUSAC Fund sampled by convenience. Findings of the study revealed that the BUSAC Fund as an interest group has greatly influenced and contributed immensely to policy advocacy sustainability in Ghana’s private business sector.Their contributions to policy formulation and implementation has impacted major sectors including the agriculture, industrial and the services sector. It is obvious that in ensuring policy change and sustainability of advocacy, it is important that support and lobbying is effectively undertaken through formidable interest groups and organizations. BUSAC Fund however in the delivery of their mandate has been entangled by challenges such as poor collaboration between stakeholders, low government commitment and inadequate legislative regulatory instruments.

Keywords: Business Sector Challenge, Sustainability Of Policy Advocacy, Ghana

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-19-06

Publication date:July 31^st 2020