The Sequencing of Structural Adjustment Policy Instruments in the Agricultural Sector

Abstract

It is now generally agreed that the performance of structural adjustment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa has been at the best patchy and in many cases disappointing. Many reasons have been advanced as partial explanations, including the continual external shocks encountered by adjusting countries during the 1980s. However, at least part of the fault lies with inadequate programme design and implementation, and in particular, the failure to pay sufficient attention to the need for policy sequencing. Recent investigations of this issue (Spooner and Smith, 1989) in four sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya, Malawi) show that only in Ghana was there any careful consideration given ex ante to adjustment policy sequencing (World Bank, 1983a), and Ghana’s more favourable progress with adjustment may be partly traced to this factor.

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