The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( <scp>EITI</scp> ) and local institutions in Ghana’s mining communities: Challenges in understanding barriers to accountability

Motivation The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard that promotes transparency and accountability in resource-rich countries to improve governance of the extractive sector. Despite improvements subnational disclosure royalty payments, significant problem failure these efforts benefits mining communities. Purpose article asks how institutions local affect national communities Ghana on use mineral revenues for development. It contributes broader theoretical literature EITI by clarifying what outcomes, if any, can be directly attributed payments. Methods approach This qualitative study employs case-study analysis adoption Ghana, one first join initiative. contextualizes dynamics relation disbursement process. draws original field research analyse their role impeding expected disbursements mining-affected Findings identifies deficiencies structures processes as they relate royalties, but also instances variation officials react EITI. range individual actors, institutions, complex which royalties depends, makes it problematic attribute absence Ghana's findings demonstrate EITI's participating best understood facilitative indirect when addressing development outcomes Policy implications Disclosure payments governments unlikely its own result improved communities, even government committed goal. There need policy interventions aimed at specific ensure reach intended beneficiaries. These should tailored differences EITI, paying attention contestation over distribution expenditure helps bring light.