Chiefs and nexus of challenges in land deals: An insight into blame perspectives, exonerating chiefs during and after Jatropha investment in Ghana

Figures & data

Figure 1. Ghana’s traditional power structure and hierarchy

Figure 2. Jatropha study sites and communities

Figure 3. The players of “blame game” in land deals in Ghana

Figure 4. The role of chiefs and other actors in jatropha land acquisition process in Ghana

Table 1. Land acquisition process and involvement of chiefs/middlemen (brokers)

Study location	Jatropha Investor/Current investor	Type of broker involved	Land acquisition Process and Chief’s involvement
Lolito	Jatropha initiated by Norwegian Biofuel Africa Limited, Currently, jatropha has been transformed to rice plantation by Brazilian Agro-Business Group	A community member who mostly resides in Saudi Arabia	Broker was the main actor who spearheaded the entire process. The broker informed the chiefs about the proposed investment in jatropha. The traditional leaders entered into negotiation with the broker/middlemen based on the intention to enhance the livelihoods of his people. The broker negotiated with the concerned company
Kobre	Jatropha initiated by Canadian Kimminic Estate Limited.Currently, no company is in operation on the land	Broker is a community member but lives in Accra	Broker was the main actor who spearheaded the entire process. The broker informed the chiefs about the proposed investment in jatropha. The traditional leaders entered into negotiation with the broker/middlemen and the broker negotiated with the concerned company
Bredi	Jatropha initiated by Canadian Kimminic Company Limited. Currently, no company is in operation on the land	Broker is a community member but lives in Accra	Support from local middlemen who initiated contact with the Traditional Council. Traditional Council subsequently negotiated directly with the investors on the terms and conditions for the leasehold contract
Agogo area	Jatropha initiated by Norwegian Scan Farm Limited but company has transformed to maize, soya beans and cassava	Broker is a community member but lives in Accra	The company contacted the chief and his entourage through the assistance of the broker who is a member of the community. The traditional authorities enter into negotiation terms with the investor
Kpachaa area,	Jatropha initiated by Norwegian Biofuel Africa Limited. Currently, no company operates on the land	Broker is a community member but lives in Tamale, the regional capital	Support from local middlemen, initiated contact with the Traditional Council and subsequently negotiated directly with the investors on the terms and conditions for the leasehold contract

Source: Field Survey, 2017.