The political economy of evidence use in Ghana, Pakistan, and Uganda: What SEDI has learned

Evidence use in decision-making is influenced by a host of factors, including the political economy, the accessibility of evidence, individual and organisational values, incentives, norms, and capacity.

This learning brief summarises insights from the analysis phase of the Strengthening Evidence Use for Development Impact (SEDI) programme, which was funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented in Ghana, Pakistan, and Uganda. It identifies similarities in, and differences between, the main findings of the analyses conducted in the three countries. 

We sought to understand the political economy of evidence use and identify opportunities for and constraints to this in nine pre-selected sectors. We looked at economic development, public financial management, taxation, and health in Ghana; economic development, education pathways into employment, and child labour in Pakistan; and humanitarian, family planning, and gender in Uganda.

The findings were intended to inform SEDI’s work and enable the design and implementation of a programme in line with the principle of thinking and working politically. 

 

Also from SEDI:

• Understanding the demand and use of evidence through a ‘political economy +’ approach: the SEDI experience in Ghana, Pakistan, and Uganda
• Civil Service capacity development in Ghana: Lessons from past and existing structures and initiatives
• Using evidence diagnostics to think and work politically: SEDI's experience