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Gaventa, J., & Barrett, G. (2010). So What Difference Does It Make? Mapping the Outcomes of Citizen Engagement. IDS Working Papers, No. 347, 1-72.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: The Dynamics of Public Policy Effectiveness in Africa: Between Intentions and Realities

  AUTHORS: Elie Nguekam Wambe

  KEYWORDS: Public Policies, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sustainable Governance, Citizen Participation, Institutional Capacities, Environmental Management, Colonial Legacy

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Social Sciences, Vol.13 No.3, March 20, 2025

  ABSTRACT: This article examines the challenges and innovations in achieving sustainable governance of public policies in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on environmental management. It identifies key barriers to policy effectiveness, including the enduring colonial legacy, institutional weaknesses, corruption, financial constraints, and sociocultural barriers. Using theoretical frameworks such as polycentric governance, institutionalism, and citizen participation, the study explores strategies to improve policy implementation. It advocates for institutional decolonization, capacity building, inclusive governance mechanisms, and policy adaptation to local cultural and social contexts. The findings emphasize that effective governance requires active citizen involvement and policies tailored to local realities to bridge the gap between policy intent and outcomes. By contributing to the discourse on environmental governance, this study provides concrete, context-specific recommendations for enhancing public policy effectiveness in African states.