Dynamics of Resource Tenure in West Africa, The

Amila Toulmin, Philippe Delville, and Samba Traore, eds. The Dynamics of Resource Tenure in West Africa. London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 2002. Distributed in the U.S. by Heinemann, xii + 242 pp. Maps. Bibliography. Index. No price reported. Cloth.

The quality of a volume written by nineteen authors and comprising some eighteen individual essays can vary considerably. I am happy to report that, for the most part, each essay in The Dynamics of Resource Tenure in West Africa is well researched, well written, and relevant to the general theme. The book is the outcome of a 1996 conference dedicated to the topic, with contributions from African experts from a range of disciplines and covering Anglophone as well as Francophone countries.

The work is divided into three major parts. The first looks at the dynamics of land tenure and includes forest issues, peri-urban areas, women's access, and pastoral resources in Ghana, Cameroon, Benin, and Nigeria. The second discusses new approaches to local rights, illustrated by case studies from Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, and Niger. The third section links local and national legal systems and deals with topics such as resolving land tenure conflict, decentralized management of renewable resources, land taxes, and compulsory land acquisition. Here the countries included are Senegal, Niger, Mali, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

The issue of land tenure rights in West Africa is a complicated one indeed. Some of the countries retain more of their colonial laws than others. For example, in Francophone Africa, the French Civil Code has set the legislative pattern, while English Common Law is prevalent in Anglophone states. Some countries in the region are blessed with more natural resources than others, and climates, population densities, and urbanization rates vary. Since the end of colonialism, a variety of legal systems have developed. For the past two decades the role of the state has been hotly contested, but as the authors note, "The premise that state intervention would help re-allocate land to more productive users has ... been shown to be false in many cases" (3). Along with the problem of land ownership, the debate has also expanded to include management of natural renewable resources. Until recently, in fact, fisheries, pastoral resources, timber, and other resources have been left out of the debate.

One passage reminded me of an experience from my first visit to southern Africa in the late 1970s. I knew little of land tenure customs at the time, and thought of land ownership according to the Western construct. I was soon shown that traditionally Africans consider the land to be held in trust for themselves, as well as for their offspring. As this book reminds us, "It is a sound policy option to give them [Africans] the right and the opportunity to live according to their traditions and to participate in the conservation of their land and its resources for the present generation and for those yet unborn" (47).

Nevertheless, I was disappointed (but not necessarily surprised) to find no mention of coastal zone tenure issues. This was particularly distressing in that as many as six of the nine countries under investigation are coastal states. Although most of the ownership or use issues near the coastal zone, and indeed offshore, fall under the national government's control, in the coming years these tenure issues will become increasingly important. Perhaps some of the researchers could help fill this gap. Another quibble, albeit a small one: The map in the front of the book is inaccurate. There are a few typos as well.

In sum, I found the collection to be informative and well done. It makes a valuable contribution to the literature. I would recommend it to both the generalist and the specialist reader.

Donald L Sparks

The Citadel

Charleston, South Carolina

Copyright African Studies Association Sep 2003
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