Freedom and sustainability : a comparative analysis of planned and spontaneous settlement in Togo

432 Pages·1995·10.6 MB·English

by  Pozarny, Pamela F

FREEDOM AND SUSTAINABILITY:
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLANNED AND SPONTANEOUS
SETTLEMENT IN TOGO
By
PAMELA POZARNY
F.
A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
1995
To
Ronald Cohen
my eternal mentor and friend
and to my parents
all of whom guided me
toward my own independence and freedom
through trust, enduring support,
tolerance, and example.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The ideas and scholarship embedded in this study are largely the result of
seven years' guidance and collaboration with my Chair and major professor, Ronald
Cohen, who has channelled my transformation in perspective of development in
Africa from what he refers to as my "appealing naivete," to a much more
sophisticated, analytical, and critical level of understanding. While encouraging me to
hold onto my bursting enthusiasm, he expanded my sensitivity to grassroots Africa to
wider and deeper boundaries. With the tools of inquiry and knowledge, he has
inspired me to continue reaching for theoretical understanding of everyday life in
rural Africa.
I thank my committee members, specifically my cochair Art Hansen, for
assuming support and leadership during the critical completion period of the
dissertation, and for offering concrete advice and direction for my fieldwork on
settlement. Goran Hyden has continually provided invaluable exposure and direction
to my theoretical understanding of Africa throughout my graduate training. He has
been a key, but often quiet player in stimulating my understanding of the relationship
between local-level action and governance. His ideas are woven throughout this study,
particularly influencing my views of participation. Chris Andrew has been a
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concerned, and reliably objective critic of my work and approach to African
development. His candid counseling on prioritizing, organizing and managing my
work and life will have an enduring after-life. 1 also appreciate the contribution of
Deirdre Crumbley, who has understood well the challenges to completing the degree.
The Center for African Studies and Director Peter Schmidt have been
immensely supportive assisting me throughout my graduate program. The teaching
opportunities during write-up, in particular, have been invaluable sources for
presenting and defending my ideas, and helping me synthesize and share my own
interest and concerns, commitment, and zeal for Africa. The Department of
Anthropology, including the Chair John Moore, and the administrative staff, Lois,
Pat, and Karen, have relentlessly encouraged my progress through diverse, voluntary
assistance, all delivered with sincere and personal attention.
The fieldwork study in Togo was possible by a Fulbright grant awarded by the
Board of Scholarships and USIA in collaboration with Benin Universite. At the
university. Rector Komlavi Seddoh was helpful in paving my way into the halls of
Togolese academia, librarian Director E.E. Amah exposed me to key resources, and
scholars G.N. Kenkou and Koffi Akibode assisted me in refining my research
methods and analyses.
I am indebted to a number of key individuals ho facilitated my research in the
field. In Mo, Sedegnan Kedagni, Director of Plan-Central, relentlessly contributed to
advancing my fieldwork through logistical and theoretical support. He enriched and
advanced my data analysis, becoming a genuine partner in my studies of Mo
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development, and a warm friend. Napo Tanghanwaye, Director of National Parks, a
longtime friend and colleague, was predictably resourceful in assisting my entry and
settlement into Mo through hiatuses in Binaparba, and invariably interested and
enthusiastic throughout my research. Our friendship matures and ripens steadily
through time. I am also indebted to the Mo chefs secteurs, Napo and Ketatale, for
providing unwavering assistance and friendship. While forging rivers, trekking hills,
and sharing meals, our exchanges transformed from mutual curiosity to investment
and sincere respect and concern. Chiefs of Boulo and Tagba enriched my
understanding of Mo immensely, and illustrated the boundlessness of Mo-farmer
generosity and pride. Prefet of Soutouboua Kouami Pounpouni offered sensitive
insight, especially from an ethno-historical perspective, from which 1 benefitted
immensely. 1 also thank my loyal assistant Dream, who contributed much more than
interpretation of daily and rare events encountered, enabling me to enter the heartbeat
of Mo through opening his own world to me. My dear friend and "family" Fili was
an unwavering and welcome face at the end of everyday, sustaining my Mo existence
in style. FED-Bassar, specifically. Directors Moreau Lorrent and Allasane Traore,
and Paulin Ewovor also were helpful in expediting my work in Mo.
In FED, Ahounde Tendoh, chef-secteur of Broukou, was indispensable to my
fieldwork. His patience and adeptness for problem-solving merits him the status of a
true diplomat. I am forever grateful to him. Sustained advocacy and attention for my
research from FED Directors, Eklou, Nebona, Tinka, and particularly Dogbe,
provided me rich insight to the longitudinal changes in FED through animated debate
concerning development in Africa. Both my FED assistants. Innocent and Claude,
enhanced my understanding of the project and of anthropological fieldwork, more by
their own beliefs and behaviors than the interview information they transmitted. Their
hard efforts warrant my sincere appreciation. Most important, with no uncertainty, the
Lombena family opened their hearts to me in blind trust, sharing the privacy of their
lives and beliefs. This family shaped the soul of this dissertation by enabling and
encouraging my own participation as a settler child. I especially thank Ladi, who
understood much more than she lead on.
In Lome, the Adjavon family rendered continuous generosity and warmth
during my visits, and always supplied open and honest criticisms of my work. 1
appreciate the staff of ORSTOM, SOTED, FED, and UB for assisting my
documentation research and pointing out to me other more obscure works of interest.
Many other friends throughout Togo, of which there are too many to mention here,
selflessly offered support and motivation throughout my fieldwork.
Many friends in local networks have encouraged my progress and
unconditionally supported me during my writing. Each in their own way gave me
inspiration and confidence. I am especially grateful for concerned, relentless support
from the Cohens, Agnes Leslie, and Deb, who helped me spin my wheels. My
deepest appreciation and gratitude is extended to Anne Todd-Bockarie for helping me
with the most essential element of my work, myself. I also want to acknowledge the
fine assistance and editing work of Margaret Joyner, who added dimension to the
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"final days," and Chuck Kincaid, for his keen interest in my research and patience in
the cadence of my grasp of numbers.
Finally, I want to thank my siblings, Eddie and Jill, and again my parents, for
sustaining confidence in me and motivating me toward successfully completing my
goal. Inquiry, social adaptation, freedom and independence have been the fodder of
our family hearth. These attributes underlie this dissertation and my continuing pursuit
of knowledge.
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PREFACE
What is the appropriate role of the state in rural development in Africa today?
What degree of directed government assistance versus spontaneous farmer initiative
best ensures sustainable community development combined with stewardship and
responsibility toward the natural resource base? These are the fundamental questions
directing this research. My goal in this research is to examine the processes that lead
to understanding real needs for more incorporation or more disengagement of
individuals with the state and vice versa. The longer-term goal of such research is to
understand how to develop more responsive and effective state institutions which
incorporate a participatory approach.
The contribution that case-study, local-level analysis of the effectiveness the state
in rural development in current Africa should not be underestimated. Theoretical
understanding of state-society relations is gained through examination of the degree
and incorporation of participatory versus top-down models in actual development
programs. In this study, the research design relies on empirical research of state-
society relations by comparison of cases of spontaneous and planned settlement in
Togo, West Africa. In illustrating dramatic differences of state control on rural
settlement, I then analyze their immediate and long-term results. My aim is to
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interpret and explain outcomes of the two settlements to garner key lessons from each
which inform future policy toward settlement, migration, and development at large.
Organization of the Dissertation
Organization of this dissertation is comprised of three main sections: (1)
Introduction; (2) Research findings; and (3) Conclusion. Section one includes three
chapters: (1) an examination of the theoretical focus of this research study (including
a review of "residues" from former perspectives leading to my own theoretical
framework), and an introduction to key issues in settlement studies relevant to this
Mo
research; (2) Background to the Kabye (primary settler group), the plain
(spontaneous settlement), and the FED project (planned settlement); and (3) an
account of methods applied in conducting and analyzing findings from this research.
Section two includes five chapters, each comprised of data presentation and analysis
comparing sites. These chapters concern: (4) state support regarding infrastructural
development and government presence; (5) relations between settlers; (6) relations
between autocthones and settlers; (7) agricultural and natural resource management
systems (including agroeconomic outcomes); and (8) levels of satisfaction among
settlers, and their prospects and intentions toward the future. Section three is
comprised exclusively of a final summary and conclusion.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eage
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
iii
PREFACE
viii
LIST OF TABLES xii
LIST OF FIGURES xiv
ABSTRACT xv
CHAPTERS
RESIDUES TOWARD FREEDOM: THEORIES OF AFRICAN
1
DEVELOPMENT APPLIED TO STUDIES OF SETTLEMENT
1
Theories of African Development
1
Key Issues in Studies of Settlement 21
2 BACKGROUND TO SETTLERS AND SITES 43
The Kabye 44
The Mo Plain: The Spontaneous Settlement 81
The FED Project: Planned Settlement 96
3 METHODS OF RESEARCH 117
Inductive and Deductive Research Approaches 118
Research Design 122