Transnational actors and policymaking in Ghana: The case of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty

Transnational actors (TNAs) are a part of the global social policy process. But questions of their roles and involvement in the process remain unanswered. Using a qualitative research to study Ghana’s adoption of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), this article brings new evidence to light on how TNAs influence social policies in developing countries. Contrary to arguments that stress imposition as the main policy diffusion mechanism, it is shown here that TNAs combine multiple strategies including ideational, institutional, and material incentives to influence social policies in particular countries. As idea purveyors at the transnational level, TNAs are linked to the national policy process through their connections with policymakers and, more specifically, through policy discussions at regular sector working group meetings. From this perspective, ideas are shared and availability of support toward policy development is communicated.